Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI)

ICSI pregnancy refers to a pregnancy that occurs as a result of the intracytoplasmic sperm injection procedure. It is commonly used in assisted reproductive techniques, particularly in cases of severe male infertility. During the procedure, a single sperm is selected and directly injected into the egg, increasing the chances of successful fertilization.

ICSI is a procedure used alongside in vitro fertilization (IVF) to address male infertility. First, eggs are retrieved from the woman’s ovaries through a minimally invasive procedure. Meanwhile, the male partner provides a semen sample, which is processed in the laboratory to obtain viable sperm. In this method, a single healthy sperm is selected and immobilized using a fine needle. The sperm is then injected directly into the egg’s cytoplasm, bypassing any barriers to fertilization. After the injection, the eggs are monitored for fertilization, and the resulting embryos are cultured in the lab for a few days. Finally, one or more high-quality embryos are transferred into the woman’s uterus. It is particularly beneficial for severe male infertility issues, such as low sperm count or poor sperm quality, as it allows successful fertilization with minimal sperm.

Its success depends on various factors, including the cause of infertility and the overall reproductive health of the couple. While ICSI can be highly effective for severe male infertility, the success rates of IVF and ICSI are generally comparable when the female partner’s reproductive health is normal.