ICSI Treatment for Pregnancy


Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI)

Fertilization is a natural process in which male sperm penetrates a woman’s egg during her menstrual cycle. To attain pregnancy, the sperm should enter the oocyte shell to combine with the female gamete. In case of any deficiency, the female body will have poor gamete or may remain absent. This results in infertility.

ICSI treatment is an effective treatment for conception in case of infertility, and this process is similar to that of IVF. Like IVF, in ICSI, eggs are produced in the female body through medications. The patient will be under the influence of local anesthesia during egg extraction. Eggs will be extracted through an injection given to the upper walls of the vagina. Your spouse or male partner will also undergo the same procedure for sperm extraction. If the sperm is absent, it will be extracted from the testicles.

The sperm will be frozen after extraction for some time. It will then be isolated in a separate chamber and injected into the woman’s egg. The sample will then be kept in the incubator, and the embryo will be formed within 2-3 days. That embryo will then be transferred back to the woman’s uterus. Once transplanted, the patient can confirm the pregnancy after a few days.

ICSI is often combined with IVF to further enhance the chances of pregnancy. Usually, ICSI is successful in cases of male infertility.

When Do You Need An ICSI Treatment?

ICSI is an advanced treatment that can give a ray of hope to those who are struggling with male infertility. You can even make your partner pregnant in case of zero sperm count. In some males, problems like morphology are expected, which implies abnormal sperm movement, and such issues can be treated through ICSI. If you have failed IVF treatment multiple times because of a low fertilization rate, your doctor can recommend ICSI. In this process, sperm is directly extracted from the testicles and thus making the pregnancy possible even with low sperm production. Babies born through ICSI have the same mental and physical health as those conceived naturally.

Doctors can recommend ICSI in the below-mentioned scenario:

  • Low sperm count: If the semen analysis shows a low sperm count, your doctor may recommend ICSI to enhance the chances of fertilization.
  • Poor sperm mobility: If your sperm is not moving correctly, it will be difficult for them to reach and fertilize the egg. In such cases, a single sperm is directly injected into the egg through ICSI.
  • Abnormal sperm shape: In abnormal shape, sperm faces difficulty in egg penetration. In this case, also, sperm is directly injected into the egg through ICSI.
  • Previous vasectomy: If a case of vasectomy in a man, sperm can be directly extracted from the testicles.
  • Failure of other fertility options: If you haven’t succeeded in intrauterine insemination (IUI), ICSI is the next step.


    • Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI)

    Step by Step Procedure

    There are various steps involved in the ICSI procedure, right from the initial assessment to the egg into the woman’s uterus.

    Let’s discuss each step in detail:

  • Initial consultation: Firstly, you will meet your fertility specialist to inform her about your fertility issues and determine whether you can go with ICSI.
  • ICSI stimulation: In this step, you will be given medications to stimulate multiple eggs. This step is known as ICSI stimulation.
  • Egg retrieval: Through a minor invasive procedure, your doctor will retrieve eggs from ovaries, and you will be given local anesthesia for this.
  • Sperm collection: Your male partner needs to give a semen sample to be analyzed in the laboratory to pick the best sperm for fertilization. Both sperm collection and egg extraction are done on the same day. During the semen sample, the male partner should refrain from masturbation or sexual intercourse for around 2-3 days.
  • Sperm preparation: The sperm will then be washed, and the most viable sperm cell will be selected. In this way, sperm will be prepared for injection.
  • Sperm injection: Through a fine needle, the healthy sperm is injected into the matured egg.
  • Fertilization: The fertilized egg will then be observed in the laboratory for cell division and successful fertilization. The embryos will then be allowed to develop in the laboratory for multiple days.
  • Embryo transfer: Through a small catheter, one or more embryos will be transferred in the uterus after 3-5 days of fertilization
  • Pregnancy testing: After two weeks of embryo transfer, a pregnancy test will be done to determine the success.

    • ICSI treatment success rate

    Through ICSI treatment, many couples can solve their male infertility problem and have completed their family. Currently, the icsi success rates are around 80-85%, and it has been shown that this success rate is comparable to that of IVF procedures. When performed with the latest tools and technology, it is possible to increase this success rate.

    The ICSI success rate is measured through the number of fertilization achieved through this procedure. The success rate is around 80-85%; eight out of ten eggs will get fertilized through ICSI.

    Cost of ICSI treatment

    Although such reproductive procedures can cost a fortune in many countries, in India, such procedures are quite affordable based on the medical institution and the healthcare center you have chosen.
    The complete ICSI procedure involves various steps, each with a different cost. The minimum price of the ICSI procedure in India may vary between 2,40,000 to 2,50,000. This cost will cover traditional techniques and standard methods. You can use more advanced systems for a higher success rate with a higher budget. Such procedures can cost you more.

    ICSI treatment has now helped many couples conceive healthy babies. Throughout the procedure, your doctor will make you feel relaxed and comfortable. We highly recommend you follow the doctor’s instructions and maintain transparency about the finances. Your efficient bonding with the doctor is a great way to maintain a friendly environment and avoid risk.

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    FAQ

    The primary difference between IVF and ICSI lies in egg fertilization. In IVF, both egg and sperm are left in a laboratory to fertilize by themselves.
    While in ICSI, good-quality sperm is injected directly into the egg. Usually, the ICSI procedure is done for male infertility,
    while IVF is preferred for female infertility.
    Sometimes ICSI can be used for female infertility, but research has shown that it doesn’t increase the chances of getting a baby.

    ICSI has helped many couples to complete their family, especially in case of male infertility. The primary benefit of ICSI is its enhanced fertilization rate which increases the number of eggs to transfer in the uterus or freeze for future use.

    Even men that don’t have issues with sperm mobility, sperm quality or sperm development can still get success through ICSI. ICSI is also preferred by couples who have experienced unsuccessful attempts of IVF. Candidates with some genetic problems can also get success through ICSI.

    ICSI is a complex procedure requiring extra care and attentiveness for fertility specialists and couples. Although many factors are not in our hands, you can take specific steps to boost your conception chances. Below mentioned are some of the factors you should take care of:
    • Maintain a healthy diet
    • Start taking prenatal vitamins
    • Keep a check on your weight
    • Manage your stress level

    For more details on ICSI treatment you can contact us anytime. Our hospital has till now treated many infertile couples through ICSI. With proven track record and higher success rate, we are a leading healthcare centre you may rely on.