IVF | ICSI


What is the difference between IVF and ICSI?
In vitro fertilization or IVF is the fertilization that takes place outside the body in almost similar conditions as that in the body. During IVF, mature eggs are collected (retrieved) from ovaries. Collected eggs are then fertilized by selected sperms. Under appropriate temperature and humidity conditions, the strongest sperm will penetrate the egg membrane, then transfer the fertilized egg back to the uterine cavity and let it growing naturally.
The difference between ICSI and other methodologies is that with the ICSI method, we select only one best sperm of the male and one best egg of the female that are perfect for fertilization. After the egg and sperm retrieval, the embryologist will select the healthiest egg and sperm to fertilize by using a microneedle to inject only one best sperm directly into the egg. Once the embryo is mature enough, it will be transferred back into the uterine cavity. ICSI is normally used to help couples conceive when the man has a low sperm count, or where there are abnormalities in the shape or movement of the sperm.
The key difference between IVF and ICSI is how the sperm fertilizes the egg. In IVF, the eggs and sperms are left in a laboratory dish to fertilize on their own. In ICSI, the selected sperm is directly injected into the egg. Because of ICSI, many previously infertile men now have a good chance of fertilizing eggs with their sperm. Therefore, ICSI is more popular than traditional IVF
WHO SHOULD CONSIDER ICSI?
+ Women with blocked or narrowed fallopian tubes
+ Women with severe endometriosis
+ Men with low sperm motility, low sperm count, poor sperm morphology (abnormally shaped sperm)
+ Men with obstruction which prevents sperm release, such as vasectomy
+ Men with vasectomy reversal that was unsuccessful or resulted in a very low sperm count or very poor quality sperm
+ Couples who experiencing failed multiple attempts of IUI cycles
+ People suffering from unexplained infertility with more than 3 years trying to concieve
+ People with genetic conditions