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Intra-cytoplasmic
sperm injection (ICSI) is a relatively new but
well-established procedure first performed in 1992. The procedure was
developed to help male factor infertility. The procedure involves
injecting a single sperm into the cytoplasm of each egg using a fine
glass needle. The first ICSI baby was reported in 1992.
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ICSI
(inro-cytoplasmic sperm injection)
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For whom ICSI
is advised?
- Couples who have failed to
achieve fertilization or had very poor fertilization following IVF
- Men with abnormal sperm
parameters (e.g. low count, poor motility)
- Azoospermic (complete
absence of sperm )
- When frozen sperm is limited
in number and quality.
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About two hours
before the eggs are retrieved, a semen sample is collected.
Approximately 50,000 sperm are placed with each egg in the incubator
where they will hopefully form an embryo. When only a few sperm are
available, Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI) may be attempted.
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Normally
Fertilized Oocyte
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Your developing
embryos will be monitored carefully by an embryologist. After 18 hours
of development, your embryologist will make the first check on your
embryos. By this stage, your embryos will still be single cells.
However, they will contain two clear bubbles (known as pronuclei)
inside. These pronuclei are evidence that the embryo contains genetic
material from both you and your male partner. Embryos without pronuclei
are discarded.
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Two Days:
Embryos that are cultured for two days are generally transferred at the
two or four-cell stage. The quality of embryos is very unclear;
transfer is not recommended.
Three Days: Embryos that are
cultured for three days are usually transferred at the six to eight
cell stage. Embryos are checked by the embryologist for gene activation
and cleavage prior to transfer; normally the best quality embryos are
transfered fresh.
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Five days: A
blastocyst is an embryo that has developed for five to seven days after
fertilization. At this point the embryo has two different cell types
and a central cavity. The surface cells, will become the placenta, and
the inner cells, will become the fetus.
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A healthy
blastocyst should begin hatching from its outer shell, called the zona
pellucida by the end of the sixth day. Within about 24 hours after
hatching, it should begin to implant into the lining of the mother's
uterus.
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IVF in Photos
Related
Links
