Ivf Icsi

A lot of couples who are unable to bear a child are thinking of engaging themselves into fertility treatments like IVF ICSI.

According to statistics, there is at least one among seven couples who have infertility problems. Infertility problems can be experience by any person, either man or woman, healthy or not. The factors that lead to the possible existence of infertility problems vary from one person to the other.

On the other hand, since infertility problems do not only exists due to health conditions, some hazardous places and chemicals can also cause its existence. Otherwise, some infertility problems especially amongst male individuals are found to be the cause of increased alcohol and cigarette consumption. This kind of lifestyle can result to low sperm count, abnormal sperm cell and non-motile sperms.

And since we are living today with the aid of different technological advancement, fertility treatments also now come into a much modernized look. There are a lot of treatments and methods couples can choose from in treating their infertility problems. Fertility problems can be treated by taking in medications, there is also an artificial insemination and of course the Assisted Reproductive Technology. But, what captivates most people more is the IVF ICSI.

ICSI or Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection is a fertility treatment which means “the sperm cell is injected into the middle of the egg cell”. ICSI treatment is mainly used among male individuals who have infertility problems. Intracytoplasmic sperm injection was developed by the Brussels University and the institution of Saint Louis. However, a lot of studies explained that this process with the aid of In vitro fertilization will give the couple a higher chance in conceiving and getting pregnant; thus it is then use as a combined treatment for fertility. In that event, the term IVF ICSI existed.

Who are treated with IVF ICSI fertility treatment?

Anybody can consider IVF ICSI (in vitro fertilisation with Intracytoplasmic sperm injection) as their treatment with regards to infertility problems. Other clinics only advised it to male individuals who have fertility problems; on the other hand, some may suggest it to anyone.

Moreover, the most common reason for the use of this treatment is the male factor infertility. Such factors that are included are: a. low sperm concentration or count, b. non-motile sperm, and c. abnormal sperm cell.

How does IVF ICSI work?

If there is successful maturation of the follicles that are at least the required or beyond the required number, the next step is done. Through the use of transvaginal ultrasound, egg cells (good egg quantity and quality) that are developed are retrieved from the follicles. The average span of the procedure may take up to ten minutes. An anesthesia would be administered prior to the procedure so the woman is unaware of the things that are happening around her. The eggs are aspirated or removed from the follicles with the aid of the needle that is passed through the top of the vagina.

The next step would be the injection of the sperm into the middle of the egg cell. IVF ICSI is also commonly used among male individuals who are having retrograde ejaculation. Retrograde ejaculation is a medical condition in where the man was unable to secrete sperm cell during ejaculation; however, the male can produce sperm cell. In the event that the male is unable to produce sperm during ejaculation, a micromanipulation set of tools will be used. This tool will be used in the retrieval of the sperm cells through the use of testicular sperm extraction. The micro set will enable the specialist to choose and pick one sperm cell that is healthy to fertilize the egg cell.

Once the egg cells re retrieved from the mother, the specialist will place it in a special culture. On that same day, a tiny needle will aid in the injection of sperm into the middle of the egg cell. If fertilization process takes place, the embryo is placed on the uterus via a catheter that is passing through the cervix. This is usually done two to five days after the retrieval. Moreover, if the couples use a male donor sperm, or the male partner has produced sperm cell during ejaculation, the other fertilized embryos are placed on the freezer for future purposes.

The success rate of IVF ICSI fertility method ranges from fifty to eighty percent fertilization results. However, the fertilization of the embryo may stop and implantation will depend upon the uterus of the woman. Even if the sperm cell is injected in the middle of the sperm cell, conception and pregnancy may still not happen. In addition, this fertility treatment can produce normal pregnancy that ranges from 1.5-3 percent with a risk of birth defects. Birth defects like heart problems and cleft palate are possible to happen with this kind of treatment.  According to statistics there are a total of 122,043 live birth rate of IVF and ICI treatment between years 96-2006.