What is ICSI

Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) is an advanced IVF process in which a selected healthy sperm is injected directly into ovum simulating the natural process but in entirely controlled environment by a very advanced micro injector. Your IVF partner “KILKARI” is equipped with the latest imported ICSI machine with smoothest micromanipulators to ensure gentle handling of the delicate ova and sperm, this brings world class cutting edge IVF treatment to your door steps. We also believe that the man behind the machine is very important and hence the most experienced embryologists complete the procedure.

Why is ICSI Done ?

ICSI is typically used in cases of severe male infertility, including:

  • Sperm concentrations of less than 15-20 million per milliliter
  • Low sperm motility – less than 35%
  • Very poor sperm morphology (subjective – specific cutoff value is debatable)
  • Having undergone previous IVF with no fertilization – or a low rate of fertilization (low percentage of mature eggs that were fertilized).
  • If a man does not have any sperm in his ejaculate, but his testis is producing sperm, these may be retrieved directly through testis or epididymitis. Sperm retrieved thus require the use of ICSI.
  • ICSI is also used in cases of retrograde ejaculation, if the sperm are retrieved from the man’s urine.
  • ICSI may also be done if regular IVF treatment cycles have not achieved fertilization.
  • Sometimes it is used for couples that have a low yield of eggs at egg retrieval. In this scenario, ICSI is being used to try to get a higher percentage of eggs fertilized than with conventional insemination of the eggs (mixing eggs and sperm together).

What is Procedure for ICSI ?

ICSI is done as a part of IVF treatment. ICSI is done in the lab by special ICSI machine.

As with regular IVF, you’ll be given ovarian stimulating drugs, while your doctor will monitor your progress with blood tests and ultrasound. Once you’ve grown enough good-sized follicles, you’ll undergo the egg retrieval, where eggs are removed from your ovaries with a specialized, ultrasound-guided needle.

Your partner will provide his sperm sample that same day (unless you’re using a sperm donor, or previously frozen sperm.)

Once the eggs are retrieved, an embryologist will place the eggs in a special culture, and using a microscope and tiny needle, a single sperm will be injected into an egg. This will be done for each egg retrieved.