When couples face male infertility or repeated IVF failures, advanced techniques like IMSI offer hope for improved outcomes.
IMSI stands for Intracytoplasmic Morphologically Selected Sperm Injection, an enhanced form of the conventional ICSI fertility treatment.
What is IMSI?
IMSI is a laboratory procedure used during IVF where sperm cells are examined at extremely high magnification — about 6000x or more — using a specialized microscope. This allows embryologists to evaluate sperm morphology in much greater detail than standard ICSI, which uses only around 400x magnification.
How Does IMSI Work?
- At this high magnification, sperm can be carefully screened to select those with normal shape and structure of the head, especially the nucleus where genetic material resides.
- Sperm with abnormalities or vacuoles in the head are avoided, as these defects may be linked to DNA fragmentation and lower fertilization potential.
- After selecting the best sperm, microinjection into the egg proceeds similarly to regular ICSI.
Why is IMSI Used?
IMSI aims to improve fertilization rates, embryo quality, and pregnancy outcomes, particularly for:
- Men with severe sperm abnormalities such as teratozoospermia (abnormal sperm shape)
- Couples with a history of repeated IVF or ICSI failures
- Cases where poor embryo development has been a concern
Benefits of IMSI
Studies have reported higher pregnancy and live birth rates and lower miscarriage rates when IMSI is used compared to standard ICSI. However, evidence is still evolving, and IMSI is not used routinely in all IVF clinics due to its increased complexity and cost.
Considerations
IMSI is more time-consuming and requires highly specialized equipment and expertise. It is generally recommended for specific cases with male infertility or repeated treatment failures.
Conclusion
IMSI is an advanced IVF technique that enables enhanced sperm selection through high magnification microscopy. By improving sperm selection quality, IMSI can offer better chances of success for couples facing challenging fertility issues. Couples considering IMSI should discuss its suitability and benefits with their fertility specialist.