Intra Cytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI الحقن المجهري) is a specialized form of fertility treatment for cases of male-factor infertility, unexplained infertility.
It is a method that implements Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART), in order to help a couple conceive. ICSI has been developed to overcome male infertility that is due to impaired semen quality. In this technique, a motile, normal-shaped sperm is selected, immobilized, and placed inside the egg using a fine needle. The sperm is directly injected into the egg using a micromanipulator. This is done using an inverted microscope under high magnification, in order to try to achieve fertilization and create embryos for transfer later
Circumstances in which ICSI may be suitable include:
• Men with low sperm count
• Men with abnormal sperm in terms of genetics, shape, size, and motility
• Previously failed IVF because of lack of fertilization.
• Men who have undergone vasectomies that cannot be reversed. In this case, the sperm is harvested through PESA or TeSA.
• Men with erectile dysfunction and/or problems with ejaculation.
• Women with repetitive and unexplained miscarriages.
• Women suffering from PCOS (Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome). PCOS (متلازمة تكيس المبايض) is a condition that affects a woman’s hormone levels. Women with PCOS produce higher-than-normal amounts of male hormones. This hormone imbalance causes them to skip menstrual periods and makes it harder for them to get pregnant.
• Women diagnosed with and suffering from Endometriosis. Endometriosis is an often painful disorder in which tissue that normally lines the inside of your uterus — the endometrium — grows outside the uterus. Endometriosis most commonly involves your ovaries, fallopian tubes, and the tissue lining the pelvis. It results in heavy bleeding and can cause decreased fertility levels.
• Uterine fibroid and/or polyps. Fibroids are non-cancerous or benign growths that can grow inside the uterus causing infertility by virtue of obstruction. Polyps on the other hand are growths of the Endometrium (uterus wall lining) and do possess a possibility of becoming malignant or cancerous. They too cause obstruction and even heavy bleeding.
• Women with scar tissues or adhesions from previous surgeries like over-zealous terminations.
ICSI has revolutionized the treatment of infertility and helped couples that had absolutely no hope of becoming parents.
Success of ICSI
The ICSI procedure is vital if the sperm is unable to reach the egg, and fertilize the egg. Since ICSI directly injects sperm into the egg, chances of a successful pregnancy increase for couples where male factor or previous failure to fertilize with IVF is the cause of infertility. The rate of successful births although varies according to the woman’s age and the man’s infertility conditions.