{"id":50668,"date":"2018-11-13T13:47:30","date_gmt":"2018-11-13T11:47:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ivi-fertility.com\/?p=50668"},"modified":"2022-04-12T17:35:42","modified_gmt":"2022-04-12T15:35:42","slug":"how-does-sperm-injection-into-eggs-using-icsi-treat-male-infertility","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ivi-fertility.com\/blog\/how-does-sperm-injection-into-eggs-using-icsi-treat-male-infertility\/","title":{"rendered":"How does sperm injection into eggs using ICSI treat male infertility?"},"content":{"rendered":"

In the forty years since the in-vitro fertilisation (IVF) assisted reproduction technique was first successfully carried out, there have been many very significant developments and refinements of the method. One of the most important of these is Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection, known as ICSI. This has enabled pregnancy to be achieved successfully in couples diagnosed with severe male factor infertility. It is one of the various methods used successfully by IVI in certain cases of male infertility. In this article we aim to answer the questions: What is ICSI infertility treatment?<\/strong> How is ICSI different from IVF?<\/strong> And what is the success rate for ICSI?<\/strong> We take you through the ICSI procedure step by step<\/strong> to dispel any mysteries surrounding this technique. As a result, anyone who has an interest or concerns about ICSI and male infertility<\/strong> can feel well informed about the issues and familiar with the process and what it involves.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

What is male infertility?<\/strong><\/p>\n

There is growing public awareness that infertility, which used to be considered mainly a women\u2019s issue, is in reality just as likely to affect men. In fact, the latest research shows that 35\u201340 % of the fertility complications that couples experience when trying for a baby are because of male infertility problems. Of these, the vast majority (90% of cases) are due to low sperm count or poor sperm quality, which can be caused by a number of factors including testicle infections, genetic abnormalities and hormone problems.<\/p>\n

However, male infertility is complex and there are a number of other causes arising from genetic, hormonal or environmental factors. Slow sperm motility, which makes it harder for sperm to swim to the egg, and abnormal morphology, in which the abnormal shape and size of sperm makes it harder for the sperm to move and fertilise the egg, are two further common causes. In this context you may like to read our blog article which explores the need for semen analysis in the male partner of a couple experiencing fertility difficulties, and what is involved in the sperm test<\/a>.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

What is ICSI infertility treatment?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Put simply, ICSI involves sperm injection into eggs<\/strong> in order for conception to take place and for an embryo to result. The embryo is then implanted back into the patient\u2019s uterus to develop in the normal way. ICSI is therefore a refinement of the basic IVF method, and the question is not so much how is ICSI different from IVF?<\/strong> But about finding out how it can be highly effective in certain cases as an element of the overall IVF process. Let\u2019s take a closer look and analyse the ICSI procedure step by step<\/strong>. You may also find it helpful to watch our video about IVF and ICSI, on IVI\u2019s YouTube channel<\/a>, where you will also find what ICSI fertility treatment is.<\/strong><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

<\/h2>\n

The ICSI procedure step by step<\/h2>\n

In the context of ICSI and male infertility<\/strong>, it is an integral and necessary part of the IVF process. The man needs to provide a semen sample or must undergo a testicular biopsy if necessary in order to extract and select the best spermatozoa which will be used to fertilise the oocytes. These are the next steps:<\/p>\n