Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI) is a specialized fertility treatment designed to help couples with severe male infertility or other fertilization issues conceive successfully.
Here’s an overview of the key steps involved:
1. Sperm Selection
The embryologist selects the healthiest, most motile sperm using a microscope and specialized laboratory techniques. For men with very low sperm count or azoospermia, sperm may be surgically extracted from the testicles or epididymis.
2. Egg Retrieval
The female partner undergoes ovarian stimulation with hormones to produce multiple mature eggs. Eggs are retrieved through a minor procedure under sedation, where a fine needle collects eggs from the ovaries.
3. Sperm Injection
Under a high-powered microscope, the embryologist injects a single selected sperm directly into each mature egg’s cytoplasm using a very fine micro-needle. This bypasses natural fertilization barriers.
4. Fertilization and Embryo Culture
The injected eggs are monitored for fertilization over 16-18 hours and cultured for several days until they develop into embryos (blastocyst stage).
5. Embryo Transfer
One or two healthy embryos are carefully transferred into the woman’s uterus using a thin catheter guided by ultrasound.
6. Follow-Up and Pregnancy Test
Two weeks after embryo transfer, a blood test is performed to confirm pregnancy.
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