ICSI

ICSI or intracytoplasmic sperm injection is a variation to the IVF technique.

The only variation is that which takes place in the lab. In the IVF process, the sperm are left to fertilize the eggs in a petri dish. ICSI is different in that we give the sperm the boost they require to get into the egg. This is done with the use of a micromanipulator.

Indications for using ICSI

• To overcome male infertility problems, for example low sperm morphology
• Used where eggs cannot easily be penetrated by sperm
• In addition to sperm donation

ICSI procedure

• Monitoring and stimulating an ovulatory process
• Removing an egg or eggs from the ovaries
• The male partner or donor needs to provide a sperm sample on the same day the eggs are collected
• Letting sperm fertilize the egg(s) in a liquid in a laboratory. The needle inserts the sperm through the shell of the egg in to the center of the egg or cytoplasm
• The fertilized egg or zygote is cultured two to six days in a growth medium
• The zygote is then transferred to the same or another woman’s uterus

Professor Devroey is a prominent Belgian researcher specialized in human fertility. Together with other colleagues of the Center for Reproductive Medicine in Brussel, he developed the ICSI technique.