ICSI Treatment

What is ICSI treatment?

Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI) is a specialized assisted reproductive technology (ART) that addresses infertility. It works by directly injecting a sperm, sometimes more than one, into an egg using a fine needle. After fertilization in a laboratory, the resulting embryo is then placed into the woman’s uterus. ICSI is frequently combined with In-Vitro Fertilization (IVF) to enhance the likelihood of pregnancy. This procedure is widely favoured and valuable, particularly for couples experiencing male factor infertility, as it helps them realize their dream of becoming parents and starting a family.

Who needs ICSI?

1. Low sperm count: When a man’s semen analysis indicates a low sperm count, fertility doctors may suggest ICSI to enhance fertilization chances.
2. Poor sperm motility: If sperm have difficulty moving and reaching the egg, ICSI can overcome this issue by directly injecting a single sperm into the egg.
3. Abnormal sperm shape: ICSI is used to address the problem of sperm with abnormal shape or morphology that struggle to penetrate the egg.
4. Previous vasectomy: For men who have undergone a vasectomy, ICSI allows retrieval of sperm directly from the testicles or epididymis.
5. Failed previous fertility treatments: If other fertility treatments like intrauterine insemination (IUI) have not resulted in pregnancy, ICSI may be recommended as the next step.

ICSI procedure

In a general IVF procedure, the female partner undergoes fertility medication to stimulate egg production in the ovaries. During this phase, the doctor closely monitors the progress of the eggs. When the eggs are ready for retrieval, the ICSI process is initiated.

Here are the steps involved in the ICSI procedure:

1. Retrieval of sperm and egg: The male partner provides a sperm sample, or sperm can be surgically extracted using methods like TESA. This is timed to coincide with the female partner’s egg retrieval. Several eggs are retrieved from the woman’s ovaries using a small needle and ultrasound probe.
2. Sperm injection into the egg: The semen sample is cleansed, and a single sperm is carefully injected into an egg using a tiny hollow needle. Since the sperm is directly injected, it doesn’t need to swim through cervical fluid. Fertilization may take up to 24 hours.
3. Monitoring the embryo: The fertilized embryos are kept in the laboratory for up to six days after fertilization. During this period, they are observed for development and growth. The healthiest and most viable embryos are selected for transfer to the uterus.
4. Embryo transfer: Once the embryos reach a specific stage of development, typically two days to five days after conception, one or two embryos are chosen for transfer to the female partner’s womb using an ultrasound-guided catheter.

The subsequent steps mirror those of a natural pregnancy, where the embryo must attach to the uterine walls and continue to grow. A pregnancy test is usually recommended two weeks after the fertilized egg is transferred to the uterus to confirm pregnancy.

ICSI treatment cost in india

ICSI treatment cost in India may vary across different clinics. However, at InviCure IVF, the base price for the procedure remains consistent, but variable costs might arise due to medication usage. The overall cost of IVF ICSI treatment can also be influenced by any additional surgical procedures required.

Typically, the minimum cost of ICSI treatment falls within the range of INR 2,40,000 to INR 2,50,000 per cycle. With a higher budget one can opt for the high-tech assistive technology which will have some extra costs like INR 1,45,000 to INR 2,51,000 on the basic costs.

What is the ICSI treatment success rate?

The success rate of ICSI treatment is an essential consideration for couples seeking assisted reproductive technology. Approximately 60% of all IVF procedures involve the use of ICSI. Notably, research has demonstrated that the chances of achieving a successful pregnancy through ICSI are comparable to conventional IVF procedures. When performed by highly skilled fertility specialists using advanced equipment, the fertilization success rate in ICSI attempts ranges from 50% to 80%.

This means that in more than half of the cases, successful fertilization can be achieved using ICSI. However, it’s important to note that the overall success of ICSI treatment also depends on other factors such as the woman’s age, the quality of the embryos, and any underlying fertility issues. A thorough evaluation and personalized approach by the medical team can maximize the chances of a successful pregnancy with ICSI.