Procedures -> ICSI

Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection

What is a ICSI?

ICSI is an assisted reproductive technique in which the egg's cytoplasm is directly infused with single live sperm. This technique has a much higher success rate when compared to conventional IVF. It is usually recommended for couples with male factor infertility or who have failed to achieve pregnancy through traditional IVF. In this article, you will learn about ICSI, its procedure, and how it has changed people's lives, and you'll have an estimate of its cost.

ICSI Procedure & It's Steps

ICSI (Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection) is a fertilization technique performed as a part of IVF. This technique ultimately increases the chances of obtaining an embryo.
Ovarian Stimulation: Female ovaries are stimulated using injectable medications. Typically, this process takes around 14 days until trigger injection is given to aid egg maturation completion.
Retrieval of Sperm and Eggs: Sperm sample and eggs are retrieved from the couple. Egg retrieval usually takes approximately 30 minutes, with the female partner under anesthesia for comfort.
Preparation and Injection of Sperm: An embryologist prepares the retrieved eggs and sperm. Direct sperm injection into the egg's cytoplasm enhances fertilization chances significantly.
Embryo Development Monitoring: Embryos are carefully monitored and maintained under optimal laboratory conditions. Continuous monitoring by embryologists helps identify the highest quality embryos for implantation.
Embryo Transfer: The final step involves the embryo transfer procedure, lasting around 10 minutes Around two weeks post-embryo transfer, a pregnancy test is conducted to determine the success of the ICSI procedure.

ICSI Role in Male & Female Infertility

The ICSI (Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection) technique is a ray of hope for those couples suffering from irreversible infertility. These challenges may involve both male and female factors. You have probably heard of ICSI and male infertility together, and it is because ICSI is considered an effective treatment for male infertility as it can alleviate severe male factor infertility caused by obstructive or non-obstructive azoospermia. Conventional Invitro fertilization (IVF) requires a certain number of sperm cells and optimal functions to achieve fertilization successfully. However, ICSI doesn’t necessitate any of the preceding factors because, in the ICSI procedure, the sperm sample is prepared in the laboratory. The best sperm is used to be injected into the egg’s cytoplasm, increasing the chance of successful fertilization.

Male

Low Sperm Count
Poor Sperm Motility
Abnormal Sperm Morphology
Uterine fibroids
Ejaculatory Dysfunction
Genetic Concerns
Age & Life Style

Female

Blocked / Damaged Fallopian Tubes
Endometriosis
Advanced Maternal Age
Unexplained Infertility
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)
Premature Ovarian Failure
Recurrent IVF Failure

Who needs ICSI

ICSI offered as an infertility treatment for couples with age 35 or above age couple. It is used to treat many causes of infertility: Older women damage or blockage of the pelvic arteries (which may result from pelvic inflammatory disease or past surgery)

How Successful is ICSI?

The Society for Reproductive Technologies (SART) says the birth rate ICSI for women under 35 approx 55.7%. The birth rate in the first embryo transfer approx 41.3%. Birth rate in second embryo transfer is around approx 47.1%.

ICSI as a Fertility Treatment Option

The field of assisted reproductive technology is progressing with each passing day. Micromanipulation, such as ICSI, can now overcome the natural barriers and treat severe cases of infertility, especially involving male factor infertility. ICSI, as a fertility treatment, allows irreversibly infertile couples to have their child.

Egg Fertilization

Egg fertilization, the sperm sample obtained by our team is first washed and prepared in the laboratory. Then, the most potent sperm and motile sperm are injected into the cytoplasm of the fertile egg using a fine micro-needle. The direct injection of sperm makes procedure quite easy. Egg fertilization with ICSI takes about a day.

Comparing ICSI vs IVF

In ICSI, the retrieved sperm sample is first prepared and injected directly into the cytoplasm of a fertile egg. Unlike ICSI, in IVF, the sperm has to swim towards the egg on its own, while in ICSI, it is directly injected to where otherwise it would have to swim, increasing the chances of successful fertilization.

ICSI Success Rate

According to the overall report of health organization the success rate of ICSI in world is about 75 percent. In Pakistan success rate of ICSI is about 40 percent. Real-Life experiences Australian Concept Infertility Center has the highest success rate in the country with 25+ years of experience.

Balancing Risks and Rewards

ICSI is a technique used to treat infertility when there are issues with sperm quality, quantity, or mobility. Here are the benefits and risks of ICSI outlined in proper points:

Financial Considerations

ICSI is a technologically advanced treatment; therefore, it is expensive. The cost of ICSI depends upon certain factors, including injections, medicines, expertise of specialists, and location of the clinic, as well as its success rate. The initial ICSI cure cost in Islamabad, Pakistan, is 700k, which is subject to increase with add-ons such as PGS/PGD. Australian Concept Islamabad acknowledges that not everyone can afford ICSI; therefore, we provide our patients with flexible payment methods and financial assistance. We believe in discussing all the expenses openly so there are no hidden costs and the patients know where they are putting their hard-earned money.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who needs ICSI treatment?

ICSI is typically recommended for couples with male infertility issues, such as low sperm count, poor sperm motility, or abnormal sperm shape. It may also be used if previous attempts at in vitro fertilization (IVF) have failed due to poor fertilization rates.

How is ICSI performed?

During ICSI, a single sperm is injected directly into the cytoplasm of a mature egg using a micromanipulation technique. The embryologist selects a healthy-looking sperm and injects it into the egg using a fine needle, usually under a microscope.

Is ICSI more successful than traditional IVF?

ICSI can be more successful than traditional IVF in cases of severe male infertility. However, it’s essential to discuss with a fertility specialist to determine if ICSI is the best option based on individual circumstances.