Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection or ICSI is a type of IVF procedure, in which a sperm is directly placed inside an egg for the fertilization to occur. Almost half of the entire percentage of people suffering from infertility problems goes through an ICSI procedure. This is the most successful treatment when there is a fertility problem in the male partner. Often couples with older male partner are known to go through an ICSI procedure.
Success rates vary from patient to patient, but on an average, the intracytoplasmic sperm injection success rate can be counted to 25%. An ICSI procedure fertilizes 50-80% eggs, but fertilization of all the eggs is not guaranteed. But owing to the success rate, you can say that this procedure is fairly successful.
There has been considerable debate, many couples go for an ICSI procedure when all else fail. No infertility procedure can guarantee a baby. The final decision lies with you, after considering the pros and cons and after detailed consultation with your physician.
Difference between ICSI and IVF
The main difference between an IVF and intracytoplasmic sperm injection is the method of achieving fertility. Before a sperm can fertilize an egg, the head of the sperm must be attached to the wall outside the egg. Due to male infertility, sperms have difficulty attaching themselves to the egg. Hence, an ICSI treatment is used, where the sperm is directly placed into the cytoplasm of the egg. In a traditional IVF however, more than thousands of sperms are placed near the egg. Out of all of them, one sperm swims the fastest to achieve fertilization of the egg. The procedure is not assisted, as we see in an ICSI.
Main Causes of Going through an ICSI Treatment
As mentioned earlier, an ICSI treatment is taken only when the male partner suffers from infertility. There can be many causes for infertility in men:
- A male is unable to produce sperms or produces very few sperms.
- Sperm immobility.
- A blockage in the reproductive track which prevents the sperm from coming out.
- Surgical removal of the testicles.
- Presence of high level of anti bodies in the semen.
- Using frozen sperm previously extracted from the male partner.
- When there has been a previous failure using IVF treatment.
Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection Risks
It is rare, but in general intracytoplasmic sperm injection risks include certain birth defects. They can be Beckwith-Wiedemann Syndrome, Angelman Syndrome, Hypospadias and abnormalities associated with sex chromosomes. Genetic diseases from the male can also be passed on to the baby. But, not to worry! A successful ICSI procedure and an IVF treatment can always be expected. Healthy babies are born every day and it is only 1% of the couples that faces the rarity.
FAQs or frequently asked questions on ISCI
Both infertility treatments take place with little difference. In IVF, the sperms are placed next to the egg in a Petri dish for fertilization. In ICSI, sperm is injected inside the egg.
With ICSI infertility treatment process, the percentage of fertilizing egg is about 60-70%.
No, it depends on the health condition, fertility problem, and medical history of the patient.
This infertility treatment mainly consists risk of miscarriage, foetal growth retardation, premature delivery, risk of congenital anomalies and metabolic disorders in the child like high blood pressure, diabetes, obesity and risk of learning disabilities in your child.