ICSI Process Step By Step Guide

What does ICSI stand for? It is Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI), which is a type of IVF procedure that is used in the treatment of infertility. If you are struggling to have a baby and are unable to conceive due to male infertility, ICSI might be the best option for you.

You may have a concern that what is ICSI in fertility treatments. It is a treatment used in reproductive assistive technology. Let’s discuss what is ICSI procedure in detail, including its indications, success rates, and associated risks.

What is the ICSI Process? How Is It Different from Standard IVF Fertilization?

ICSI Process Step-by-step

The ICSI cycle procedure consists of the following steps:

Diagnosis : Before the ICSI process, the patient must undergo diagnostic tests to rule out infections such as hepatitis B and HIV. Other diagnostic procedures can also be performed according to your existing medical condition.
Administration of Fertility Medications : Fertility medications increase egg production in the ovary and stimulate sperm production in males.
Egg Retrieval : In this step, eggs are obtained from the ovary for fertility treatment. Usually, the best-quality eggs are used in the ICSI process.
Sperm Retrieval : The sample of sperm is obtained from the male partner for use in the ICSI process.
ICSI Injection : When the best-quality egg and sperm are identified in the laboratory, the sperm is injected into the cytoplasm of the egg to allow fertilization.
Embryo Transfer : In the laboratory, each egg is inseminated with a single sperm, and the healthiest embryos are transferred to the uterus. After a week, the pregnancy test is performed to check the success of the procedure.

When ICSI Process is Used?

The ICSI process is mainly used when the cause of infertility is due to the male partner. What is the ICSI cycle? The ICSI cycle is a type of IVF treatment that is used to maximize the chances of pregnancy. The ICSI procedure is used worldwide when sperm quality and motility are affected in a male partner due to some reasons. Some of the conditions in which ICSI is used are listed below:

Male factor infertility
Low sperm count
Poor sperm motility
Abnormal sperm morphology
Previous failed fertilization with conventional IVF
Use of frozen sperm
Ejaculatory dysfunction
Sperm retrieved from the testicles (testicular sperm extraction)
Presence of anti-sperm antibodies
Unexplained infertility

What are the Success Rates of ICSI?

The ICSI process is mainly used in male infertility problems, and the success rates of ICSI depend on many factors. Various factors that can affect the success rates of ICSI, including:

Age : Patients with ages lower than 35 years usually show great response and have high success rates.
Lifestyle : Some lifestyle factors can also affect the success rate of ICSI, which includes smoking and obesity.
Anti-Mullerian Hormone (AMH) levels : Higher levels of AMH show a larger egg reserve, which can lead to improved pregnancy chances.

The age of women and the success rates of ICSI

Under 35 years old : Approximately 42.8% success rate.
Between 35 and 39 years old : Around 36.3% success rate.
Over 40 years old : Approximately 20% success rate.

On average, around 50% of couples achieve positive pregnancy tests following ICSI, with about 33% ultimately having a baby. However, success rates heavily depend on the woman's age.

What are the Risk Factors of the ICSI Procedure?

The ICSI procedure is generally safe, but sometimes complications occur due to the patient's medical condition. Some of the associated risk factors are:

Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS)
Multiple pregnancies (e.g., twins, triplets)
Ectopic pregnancy
Congenital disabilities in offspring
Ovarian torsion
Bleeding or infection at the egg retrieval site
Failure of fertilization or embryo development
Emotional stress and psychological impact
Medication side effects (e.g., hormone injections)
Potential harm to eggs or embryos during handling n in the laboratory.

Do Non-ICSI Embryos and ICSI Embryos Differ in Quality or Pregnancy Rates?

Studies have not found any difference in the general quality of embryos produced through the ICSI process compared to those from non-ICSI procedures. Similarly, there is no noticeable difference in pregnancy rates between embryos generated through ICSI and those from non-ICSI methods.

It has not been proven yet, but many infertility specialists have the opinion that ICSI might increase the production of embryos from a given number of retrieved eggs. This can contribute to the growing demand for ICSI procedures in fertility treatments.

Conclusion

ICSI procedure is used to treat male infertility, and it also has high success rates. It is a type of IVF procedure that increases the chances of pregnancy in couples struggling with infertility. The success rates depend on individual factors, but age is the most critical factor in determining the success rate of ICSI. ICSI and ICSI have no noticeable differences, which makes it a safe procedure.

FAQ's of ICSI Treatment

Who is Eligible for ICSI?

ICSI is performed in patients with male fertility, such as low sperm counts, ejaculatory dysfunction, and motility. So, the patients with these problems are eligible for ICSI.