Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection
Sometimes natural fertility is not possible for couples to achieve, leading them to consider assisted reproductive technology (ART), often in vitro fertilization (IVF). All infertile couples hope to increase the chance of pregnancy at every possible opportunity, and when IVF is pursued, the addition of Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI) may help.
What is Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection?
During traditional IVF an egg and thousands of sperm are placed together into a laboratory dish where a sperm can naturally fertilize the egg. When Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection is added to the process, an embryologist injects a single sperm directly into the egg to achieve fertilization. In both cases, the fertilized egg (embryo) will then be incubated for 3-5 days before being frozen for future use.
When is ICSI used?
ICSI can be used during any IVF cycle to improve chances of fertilization, but it is especially helpful in cases of male-factor infertility and can be used to overcome the following.