Advantages and disadvantages of intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) technique

This is an automatically translated article.

In vitro fertilization is performed as part of in vitro fertilization (IVF) to inject sperm into the ovum to help the sperm fertilize an egg. This assisted reproductive technique has been the most successful treatment for male infertility and is used in more than half of IVF cases.
This article is professionally consulted by Master, Doctor Nguyen Thi Cam Van - IVF Lab Doctor - Reproductive Support Center - Vinmec Times City International Hospital. The doctor has experience and strength in performing specialized techniques of assisted reproduction in the IVF lab.

1. Implementation process

Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) is performed at assisted reproductive centers by injecting a healthy sperm directly into the egg to create an embryo.
ICSI is performed similarly to IVF, starting with the woman using drugs to stimulate the ovaries to increase the number of eggs. Then, these eggs will be aspirated vaginally under the guidance of an ultrasound machine and the eggs will be cultured under suitable conditions at the IVF lab. After taking a semen sample from the husband, the sample will be filtered to select good motile sperm with good morphology. Then, using a modern microinjection system, a sperm with good morphology and motility is captured with a glass needle and injected directly into the egg.

After intracytoplasmic sperm injection, the eggs are further cultured in the IVF lab and evaluated for development daily. When embryos are created, good quality embryos will be transferred back to the mother's uterus. Then, the doctor and the couple will monitor the symptoms of pregnancy, when symptoms appear, the doctor will use blood tests or ultrasound to determine if the mother is pregnant or not.

2. Advantages of oocyte cytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) technique

According to the American Society for Reproductive Medicine, ICSI is a safe and effective procedure for couples with male factor infertility and helps to improve the chances of fertilization of the male infertility. couples with poor insemination results in previously performed IVF.
According to ICSI technique, many couples with male infertility problem have had successful pregnancy with fertilization rate of 70 to 80%, equivalent to fertilized egg with normal sperm and pregnancy rate equivalent to IVF in couples without male factor infertility.
ICSI is often used with couples who have problems with sperm quality that prevent sperm from entering the egg or moving to meet the egg such as: low sperm count, sperm motility Poor sperm quality, low sperm quality, sperm not able to penetrate the egg or men who ejaculate but no sperm in the semen is also known as infertility due to azoospermia. ICSI technique solves all cases of men with these problems, because the embryologist will select the healthiest sperm and transfer it directly to the egg, so the sperm does not have to swim to meet the egg and also It takes energy to penetrate the egg, ultimately increasing the rate of fertilization.

3. Disadvantages of oocyte cytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) technique

Besides the advantage of increasing the rate of successful fertilization and pregnancy, the ICSI technique also has some disadvantages. First, in the ICSI procedure there is a small amount of eggs, usually less than 5% that can be degenerated by the needle puncture.
Besides, ICSI technique is performed together with IVF, so it increases the cost of an IVF cycle compared to conventional IVF.
Vinmec IVF Reproductive Center is the address of infertility - infertility treatment chosen by many couples. So far, the Center has performed fertility support for over 1000 infertile couples with a success rate of 45%-50%. This rate is equivalent to developed countries such as the UK, USA, Australia,...
The center gathers a team of leading experts in the field of obstetrics and gynecology nationally and internationally, trained in centers leading in the world such as in the US, Singapore, Japan, Australia and famous fertility centers in the world.
With a high level of expertise and extensive experience, Vinmec IVF Center's experts are capable of synchronously and comprehensively deploying the most advanced assisted reproductive techniques today, helping realize the dream of becoming a parent of hundreds of families across Vietnam.

Please dial HOTLINE for more information or register for an appointment HERE. Download MyVinmec app to make appointments faster and to manage your bookings easily.

Reference source: Cdc.gov; Ucsfhealth.org