Male infertility is a common problem that many couples face when trying to conceive. Problems including irregular sperm form, low motility, declining sperm count may worsen if professional help is not taken. Intracytoplasmic sperm injection offers a solution for many men facing these difficulties. Let’s look at ICSI’s techniques and the factors that have contributed to its exceptional success in treating infertility in men.
What Is ICSI?
A single healthy sperm is placed straight into the center of an egg using the ICSI procedure. This strategy differs from the standard IVF procedure, which entails mixing eggs and sperm in a lab dish to promote spontaneous fertilization. ICSI bypasses the natural fertilization step, greatly increasing the chances of fertilization for men with poor sperm quality.
This method is especially helpful for guys who have:
- An inadequate quantity of sperm (oligospermia)
- Low motility of sperm (asthenozoospermia)
- Abnormal morphology of sperm (teratozoospermia)
- Insufficient fertilisation resulting in ineffective in vitro fertilisation (IVF)
- Azoospermia caused by blockage (no sperm in semen because of obstruction)
How ICSI functions
Egg Retrieval: Multiple eggs are produced by ovarian stimulation and extracted from the female partner.
Sperm Collection: Sperm is gathered from a semen sample or extracted from the testicles in instances of azoospermia.
Sperm Selection: An embryologist chooses a single, healthy sperm with good motility and shape for injection.
Injection: The selected sperm is injected directly into the egg using a fine needle, circumventing the need for natural sperm movement.
Embryo Transfer: Following fertilization, the embryo is monitored and transferred to the uterus to establish pregnancy.
Who Should Consider ICSI?
ICSI is especially successful for couples facing male infertility as the primary challenge. Yet, it may also be thought of in instances of infertility that cannot be explained or following failed IVF attempts. As ICSI allows the use of any healthy sperm for fertilisation, those with genetic abnormalities like Klinefelter syndrome or Y chromosome microdeletions may also benefit from it.
Why is ICSI successful in treating male infertility?
ICSI is a great approach to treating male infertility. Its capacity to overcome challenges like low sperm count or poor sperm movement makes it the most successful solution for many couples.
Overcoming Natural Barriers: Men with suboptimal sperm motility face difficulties in the sperm reaching and penetrating the egg naturally. ICSI solves this problem by injecting the sperm straight into the egg, avoiding the requirement for it to swim or break through the egg’s protective layer.
Tackling Low Sperm Count: Individuals with oligospermia have a reduced sperm count, decreasing the likelihood of a single sperm fertilizing an egg. ICSI only requires one healthy sperm, making it possible for even very low sperm counts to result in successful fertilization.
Enhancing IVF Success Rates: ICSI significantly boosts the success rates of IVF for couples dealing with issues related to male infertility. It tackles numerous factors that can lead to unsuccessful fertilization, thereby increasing the probability of a successful pregnancy.
Selecting Superior Sperm: Even when the quality of sperm is subpar, embryologists have the ability to pick the healthiest sperm for use. This selective method enhances the likelihood of forming a healthy embryo.
What happens after ICSI?
Following ICSI, the fertilized eggs are observed in the laboratory, and a blastocyst develops. The time for embryo transfer is planned for the fifth or sixth day, or it may be delayed. An ultrasound is used to guide the insertion of a catheter and the placement of the embryo into the uterus for implantation. Waiting for two weeks is necessary before attempting a pregnancy test.
Conclusion
Male infertility treatment has changed as a result of Intracytoplasmic sperm injection, giving hope to many couples who might not have been able to conceive naturally. The difficulties of low sperm count, slow motility, or aberrant sperm form can be solved by ICSI to enable precise fertilization of eggs, hence significantly improving the likelihood of a successful conception.
At Kanaa Fertility Centre, our skilled team is committed to assisting you throughout your journey, providing tailored support and advice to help you achieve your goal of becoming a parent. Contact us today to schedule a consultation and learn how we can assist you in achieving your goals.
Dr B.Priya Kalyani
MBBS., DGO, DNB (OG)
Senior Consultant Obstetrician & Gynaecologist