With its first triumph in the year 1992, Intra-cytoplasmic sperm injection or ICSI is now used to help patients with severe male-factor fertility. ICSI aids men who are distressed from low sperm count, poor quality sperms and unnaturally shaped sperms, as well as sperms that have trouble attaching to an egg.
Men who opted for an irreversible vasectomy and those who stumbled upon a blockage in the reproductive tracts, can now benefit from Intra-Cytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI). Not to mention couples, who have undergone In Vitro Fertilisation (IVF) and failed in the process repeatedly, are also recommended to go for ICSI.
After numerous trials of blood tests and counselling, couples can then start with a life changing process than they never thought possible. Comparable to in vitro fertilisation (IVF), drugs are given to the women to elevate the growth of more than one follicle. This process allows more than one egg to be recovered so that the most superior blastocyst can be chosen to be released into the uterus.
It is probable not to administer these drugs, thereby only producing one egg to be fertilised. This is known as the natural cycle. However this method has its hazards as well. The single egg produced has a lower success rate when compared to a scenario whereby several eggs are obtained.
A sperm sample is obtained from the male patient either by masturbation or forcefully taken via a needle with the help of some anaesthetics. If neither of these methods were fruitful, testicular sperm extraction (TESE) will then commence. TESE is performed when testicular biopsies reveal Sertoli Cell only, severe hypo-spermatogenesis, maturation arrest and individuals whose epididymis is inaccessible.
The sample collected will first be centrifuged to differentiate the live sperms from the dead ones. Once this step is completed, individual eggs are fertilised and allowed to divide into a ball of cells. Embryos are then carefully inserted into the uterus using a thin catheter. These embryos will be carefully monitored throughout the next few days.
If the embryos successfully attach themselves to the uterine walls, pregnancy is inevitable. Promising embryos are also selected concurrently and frozen for future use. Couples may also request to freeze fertilised embryos if they so wish to.
This treatment has aided many couples who are wishing to starting a family but impeded by health complications. Amongst those are the diabetic and the crippled due to spinal injuries. ICSI is also give a prove to have a greater success ratio as compared to IVF due to its nature of being able to store frozen embryos. Male infertility issues have often caused downheartedness amongst the male community; in some cases resulted in suicide and ostracism from the opposite sex. With ICSI, this minority would have a second chance at life.
You can find helpful information about how ICSI works, and everything you need to know about ICSI Process at KL Fertility.
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