During In Vitro Fertilization, the fertilization process can be facilitated by using intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). ICSI came into wide use in the 1990's and is now a "first line" treatment for male factor infertility and other conditions.
ICSI is performed on the mature egg after it has been withdrawn from the ovarian follicle. In an IVF cycle, medication (FSH) is administered to stimulate the ovaries to produce numerous eggs. Once mature, the eggs are retrieved transvaginally using ultrasound guidance.
Using ICSI, a single sperm is inserted directly into each egg. The sperm can be obtained from an ejaculate or aspirated directly from the reproductive organs. This means that men who have few, or no, sperm in their ejaculate can often still produce genetically related children. ICSI is a major advance in the treatment of male infertility.
Our skilled embryologists insert the sperm into the egg causing no damage to the egg. Fertilization and implantation rates are typically high. Indications for ICSI include:
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