ICSI
ICSI (Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection)
ICSI is a method of treating infertility that is close to IVF. It is different just as the method of fertilization between eggs and sperm that process from the scientists only. ICSI comes from the full word, Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection, which means that the sperm is selected for mixing one by one (1 sperm per 1 egg). The scientist will inject sperm directly into the egg. The embryo will be cultured for about 2-6 days and be transferred into the uterus later on.
ICSI Process
1. Come in for a consultation to prepare for treatment.
2. Checking up both the male and female
- Blood test to measure levels of the hormone AMH (Anti Müllerian Hormone) which is beneficial to the health of the ovaries and the initial number of eggs.
- Semen Analysis is to check the quantity and quality of sperm.
3. Stimulate ovulation by using ovulation control drugs.
4. Collect eggs and sperm to prepare for ICSI.
5. Culturing embryo until blastocyst stage.
6. PGT-A
7. Preparing the uterine wall to be ready for embryo transfer
8. Embryo Transfer
From a patient perspective, undergoing an ICSI treatment cycle is exactly the same as a conventional IVF cycle, and the same steps are involved, except for the part of the fertilization process after the ovum and sperm come into the laboratory procedure
IVF: The embryologist will allow the strongest sperm to fertilize the egg itself like natural
ICSI: The embryologist will inject sperm directly into the egg for fertilization.
Who is ICSI suitable for?
ICSI treatment is suggested can improve fertilization problem mainly male sperm quality by the technique of intracytoplamic sperm injection.
- When the sperm count is very low
- When the sperm cannot move properly or are in other ways abnormal
- When sperm has been retrieved surgically from the epididymis (MESA/PESA) or the testes(TESE/TESA)
- Women who have fallopian tube blocked or cut for both ovaries
- When there has been a previous fertilization failure using conventional IVF.