ICSI has revolutionized the treatment of
male infertility. Many couples do not realize that
male factor is such a large contributor to the disease
of infertility. Studies have found that there is a
contributing male infertility problem in approximately
49% of cases. Many characteristics contribute to sperm's
ability to fertilize eggs and a laboratory experienced
in reproductive medicine must perform a thorough semen
analysis.
In
vitro fertilization first offered hope to couples
who could not become pregnant using previously available
techniques. In particular, women with blocked, diseased,
or absent tubes could now become pregnant through
IVF. For the first time, sperm could be combined with
eggs in the laboratory and the fertilization process
observed. In IVF, the sperm is concentrated around
the egg which increases the probably of fertilization.
However, the male still had to produce sufficient
quality and quantity of sperm to penetrate the egg
and cause fertilization.
Intracytoplasmic
sperm injection allows men with very low sperm counts
to father children. It is also possible for a male
with no sperm in his ejaculate (if sperm can be extracted
from the testes) to produce a genetically related
child. Through ICSI men with severe spinal cord injury
can father children and it is also used in cases of
unknown infertility, advanced female age, severe endometriosis,
and other conditions
In
ICSI a single sperm is injected directly into the
egg using a very fine microscopic needle and delicate
micromanipulation tools. A small hole is chemically
or mechanically etched in the membrane surrounding
the egg, the corona, through which the needle containing
the prepared sperm is placed and injected into the
egg.
Sperm
can be obtained directly from the testes in testicular
epididymal sperm aspiration. It can also be obtained
from the mesothelial lining of the epididymus (tube
that transports the sperm). This means that an ejaculate
is not necessary to isolate sperm.
Intracytoplasmic
sperm injection / ICSI is a very safe procedure and
studies demonstrate no significant increase in birth
defects or other disorders after ICSI. We offer ICSI
to our patients as indicated by their clinical diagnosis.
Intracytoplasmic
sperm injection allows men with very low sperm counts
to father children. It is also possible for a male
with no sperm in his ejaculate (if sperm can be extracted
from the testes) to produce a genetically related
child. Through ICSI men with severe spinal cord injury
can father children and it is also used in cases of
unknown infertility, advanced female age, severe endometriosis,
and other conditions
