Intracytoplasmic sperm injection is among the most advanced fertility treatments used for male infertility in conjunction with In Vitro Fertilization.

What is Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI treatment)?

Intracytoplasmic sperm injection is among the most advanced fertility treatments used in conjunction with In Vitro Fertilization. ICSI treatment is used to assist couples facing male infertility. If you are wondering how to get pregnant with poor sperm morphology, your doctor may suggest this treatment after the infertility tests.

What does intracytoplasmic mean?

Intracytoplasmic sperm injection is beneficial for cases involving low sperm count, poor sperm quality, or other issues in the male reproductive system. The term “intracytoplasmic” refers to something that occurs within the cytoplasm of a gel. Cytoplasm is the gel-like substance inside a cell that excludes the nucleus. Cytoplasm plays an important role in cellular processes.

Intracytoplasmic term is used in the context of reproductive medicine. For example, in ICSI fertility treatment, a single sperm is injected directly into the cytoplasm of an egg for fertilization.

How ICSI different from IVF?

Intracytoplasmic sperm injection differs from IVF primarily in the method of fertilization. The difference between IVF and ICSI can be summarized as follows:

IVF for men involves placing multiple sperm near an egg in a laboratory dish. On the other hand, ICSI involves a single sperm injection directly into the cytoplasm of the egg.

Who needs ICSI?

Intracytoplasmic sperm injection is generally recommended for individuals who face specific male infertility, which causes challenges in conception. The scenarios where the ICSI procedure may be beneficial for you can be listed below:

• Anejaculation: This is a condition where a person is unable to ejaculate.
• Blockage in the Male Reproductive System: Any blockages in the male reproductive tract that hinder the normal flow of sperm.
• Low Sperm Count: When the quantity of sperm in the semen is significantly below normal levels.
• Poor Sperm Quality: This includes factors like poor sperm motility or low morphology sperm.
• Retrograde Ejaculation: A condition where semen enters the bladder instead of exiting through the penis.
• Ineffectiveness of Traditional IVF: Cases where conventional IVF treatments have not led to the successful creation of embryos.
• Advanced Maternal Age: Specifically, if the person providing eggs is over the age of 35.
• Use of Cryopreserved Gametes: In situations where previously frozen eggs or sperm are being used for conception.

Before the Intra Cytoplasmic Sperm Injection Procedure

Intracytoplasmic sperm injection is a treatment consisting of sperm injection for pregnancy. Like every treatment, this one also requires patience. Before the eggs are injected with sperm, your doctor needs to collect both eggs and sperm.

For woman:

To mature egg, your doctor may apply ovulation induction treatment, which includes receiving medications for 8 to 14 days. After ovulation, your doctor will use transvaginal ultrasound technology and insert a catheter through your vagina. In this step, the eggs are retrieved.

For man:

If you will not use frozen sperm, injection to get pregnant treatment will involve sperm collection. The collection will be on the same day as egg retrieval. If you are the person whose sperm is collected,

• You should avoid masturbating and sex three days before the collection date.
• You will provide sperm by masturbating at home or at the clinic within 60 minutes after ejaculation.

After delivering the collected sperm, your doctor and the laboratory team will analyze the mobility and quality of the sperm. If the minimum sperm count for IVF, which is currently 30% motile, is fulfilled, the clinic will approve the procedure.

During the Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection ICSI Treatment

Intracytoplasmic sperm injection is a treatment that involves low sperm motility treatment. The procedure takes about 6 weeks from beginning to end. The procedure after eggs and sperm collection will be followed as below:

• Your doctor will prepare the selected sperm in the laboratory to isolate it.
• The egg is held in place using a specialized holding pipette, which immobilizes the egg and positions it for the intracytoplasmic sperm injection process.
• Your doctor loads the selected sperm into a very fine, sharp, and hollow needle, which is known as a micropipette.
• Lastly, your doctor injects the sperm into the cytoplasm of the egg and withdraws it gently.

After the Intracytoplasmic Injection

Intracytoplasmic sperm injection is progressed after the injection. Your doctor will monitor the fertilized egg and wait for a successful result.

• After six days, a fertilized egg will form a blastocyst, which divides the egg into cells.
• One or more of the developed embryos are selected for transfer into the uterus. The number of embryos transferred into the uterus depends on age and embryo quality factors. Because the ICSI success rate by age differs significantly.
• After the embryo transfer, your doctor might advise you to continue taking medications to support the uterine lining and embryo implantation. During this period, you will be waiting about two weeks.
• After two weeks, your doctor will conduct a blood test to measure hCG levels, which are produced after implantation. A positive result means you are pregnant.

Risks and Benefits

Intracytoplasmic sperm injection involves both risks and benefits. During the treatment, because of the uncertainty, you may feel emotionally stressed. Therefore, you may consider seeking professional psychological support.

Intracytoplasmic Sperm Benefits:

• Improved fertility in male infertility cases.
• High ICSI success rate with limited sperm.
• Useful for frozen sperm, which is collected in IVF male infertility.
• IVF with ICSI offers high fertilization rates.
• After failed IVF ICSI can be an alternative.