Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection - ICSI

ICSI is currently the most successful form of micromanipulative assisted fertilization available for male factor infertility. On average, of all mature eggs available for insemination, 60% will fertilize normally. There is a less than 5% risk of damage to the egg with this technique.

There has been an increase in certain genetic and chromosomal abnormalities seen after pregnancies resulting from ICSI fertilization. This is generally seen more commonly when the sperm count is below 1 million/cc. Therefore, greater testing of the male partner is advised before initiating IVF with ICSI in some cases.

Following this procedure, all embryos generated are treated identically to those that arise following conventional in vitro fertilization. This technique offers an option for couples who previously had little hope of conceiving a child.

Figure 9:  ICSI technique

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