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This procedure
has
revolutionized
the treatment of
male infertility
since it allows
couples to
achieve
fertilization,
even when the
male partner has
only a few
viable sperm
available. Up to
40% of cases of
infertility are
due to problems
with the quality
and quantity of
the males sperm.
ICSI fertilization
is
achieved
by our
highly
skilled
embryologists
in our
state-of-the-art
embryology
lab.
During a
normal
IVF
procedure
fertilization
occurs
simply
by
incubating
eggs and
sperm
together. |
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ICSI
Procedure
video
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With ICSI, the
embryologist
surgically
inserts
one
healthy
sperm
into
each
egg.
This is
done by
delicately
perforating
the
membrane
of the
egg with
a glass
pipette
containing
the
sperm.
This requires
extremely high
level skills and
experience. As
only one sperm
is needed per
egg, even very
small quantities
of semen are
sufficient.
ICSI is
especially
important for
men with
Azoospermia (the
complete lack of
semen on
ejaculation). In
such cases, we
can also offer a
procedure called
testicular sperm
extraction (TESE),
where our doctor
extracts small
amounts of semen
directly from
the testes,
which can then
be used for ICSI.
In a high
percentage of
cases,
Azoospermic
males can still
achieve
fatherhood.
We have been
performing ICSI
since 1997 and
after hundreds
of cycles have
achieved success
rates comparable
to the best in
the world.
We generally
recommend ICSI
for all patients
where there may
be some doubt as
to the viability
of their sperm.
ICSI is
indicated for
Men with sperm
problems such
as:
- low
sperm count
- poor
sperm
motility
- high
percentage
of abnormal
sperm
- men with
sperm
anti-bodies.
-
retrograde
ejaculation
(ejaculation
of the sperm
into the
urinary
bladder)
- where
IVF has been
previously
unsuccessful.
We also offer
the following
procedures which
may be required
to assist your
ICSI procedure.
Percutaneous
Sperm Aspiration
(PESA)
PESA is usually
the first
treatment option
we suggest if
the male partner
has no sperm in
his semen. It is
relatively
painless and
requires no
surgical
intervention and
has high
retrieval rates
– between 80%
and 90%. A fine
needle is
inserted through
the scrotum into
the epididymis
from which fluid
is gently
removed by
aspirating it
through the
needle. The
fluid is then
analyzed for
sperm content
and motility.
PESA usually
takes about 10
to 20 minutes
and requires
only local
anesthetic.
Testicular Sperm
Extraction (TESE)
If no sperm is
found in the
epididymal
fluid, a needle
is gently
inserted into
the testes. This
needle removes a
small sample of
tissue, which is
then examined
for sperm in our
laboratory. A
variant of this
procedure
involves a small
surgical
incision in the
testis, called a
testicular
biopsy.
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