as an example ICSI: How Does It Differ from In-Vitro Fertilization? One of the frustrating problem a couple experiences is the inability to conceive. Fortunately, science and technology make it possible for many couples to conceive and deliver a healthy baby even in situations where it once wasn t possible. One such procedure is called ICSI or intra-cytoplasmic sperm injections. Some people confuse ICSI with in-vitro fertilization. The two procedures are similar but they also have important differences. Both procedures involve harvesting and fertilizing an egg outside the body, in a controlled setting. How do the procedures differ? For in-vitro fertilization, the egg to be fertilized is placed on a plate with many sperm, as many as 50,000 or more. The sperm can come from your partner or a donor. The hope is that one of the many sperm in contact with the egg will fertilize it. With ICSI, a SINGLE sperm is isolated and placed into the egg using a very fine pipette to pierce the outer layer of the egg. With ICSI, you theoretically only need a single sperm to fertilize an egg. That s helpful in situations where male fertility or sperm production is a problem. In certain situations, ICSI may be a better choice over in-vitro fertilization for you and give you a higher success rate. Such situations include: . Your partner has sperm that s not mobile enough to fertilize an egg naturally. . Your partner s sperm can t successfully penetrate the egg. . Your partner has a low sperm count or low sperm production, usually a sperm concentration of less than 15 million per milliliter. . Your partner has abnormally shaped sperm that makes fertilization harder. . You ve tried in-vitro fertilization and it failed. . You re using frozen sperm. Thawed sperm may not be as active. . You re using embryo testing. Assuming the egg is successfully fertilized, it will grow in an incubator for up to five days and then be placed into your uterus. This is done by threading a small catheter into the opening of your cervix. ICSI has a high success rate between 50 and 85% of the eggs treated in this manner are fertilized. The success rate is slightly lower in women who have older eggs due to a more advanced age. ICSI is similar to in-vitro fertilization in many respects. You still have to take medications that stimulate your ovaries to produce eggs and the egg will have to be removed from your ovaries using a special needle with the help of ultrasound guidance. Is ICSI Safe? Although ICSI has a relatively high success rate, it does come with a slightly higher risk of birth defects, although the overall risk is small. It s not clear whether the slightly higher risk stems from the procedure itself or from the infertility treatments themselves. The risk that you ll have twins or triplets doesn t appear to be higher with ICSI compared to standard in-vitro fertilization. Is ICSI Right for You? Does ICSI sound intriguing to you? The best approach is to talk to your doctor about the pros and cons of this advancement in technology. References: Human Fertilization and Embryology Authority. What is intra-cytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) and how does it work? ReproductiveFacts.org. What is intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI)? is widely known
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