Thai
Thai
Thai
Thai
Thai
Thai
At present, there are several methods available for treating infertility. One of the popular methods is ICSI (Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection). This method is part of in vitro fertilization (IVF). Doctors may consider ICSI for couples when IVF is unsuccessful, particularly when the male partner has problems such as a low sperm count, poor sperm quality, or difficulty ejaculating.
What Is ICSI?
ICSI (Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection) is an assisted reproductive technology used to treat infertility. It involves specifically selecting one of the strongest sperm and injecting it directly into one egg (Ovum) using a very small needle to facilitate fertilization and embryo development.
After fertilization, the resulting embryo is cultured in a laboratory. The doctor then transfers the embryo into the uterine cavity so that it can implant and continue developing into a healthy baby.
The first step of the ICSI procedure is a detailed physical examination to assess the body’s readiness. The doctor will perform blood tests to measure hormone levels and an ultrasound examination to determine the number of follicles in the ovaries. The doctor will then analyze the information to calculate the appropriate dosage of hormones required for ovarian stimulation.
After the physical examination confirms that the couple is ready for ICSI, the doctor will begin ovarian stimulation for the female partner by administering hormone injections. This helps multiple eggs mature at the same time and prepares the eggs for fertilization.
After hormone injections for ovarian stimulation, the doctor will continue stimulating the female partner’s ovaries with hormone injections to allow multiple eggs to mature simultaneously and help prepare the eggs for fertilization.
When the eggs are fully mature, the doctor will retrieve the eggs within 34–36 hours using medication to help reduce discomfort. A thin needle is inserted through the vagina to retrieve the eggs, with ultrasound guidance used to locate the follicles.
At this stage, the female partner does not need to stay overnight at the hospital. She only needs to fast from food and water for at least 6 hours before egg retrieval. After the procedure is completed, she can return home immediately. The retrieved eggs are then taken to the laboratory and stored until they are ready to be fertilized with the male partner’s sperm in the next step.
Normally, sperm collection can be performed on the same day as egg retrieval. The male partner should abstain from ejaculation for 2–3 days before the procedure.
On the scheduled day, the male partner will ejaculate into a sterile container. The sperm sample will then be sent to the laboratory within 60 minutes for quality analysis. The scientist will select the most complete sperm and then add nutrients to help support and strengthen the sperm.
For men who are unable to ejaculate naturally, the doctor may consider other sperm retrieval methods, such as PESA-TESE.
When the eggs and sperm are ready for fertilization, the doctor will select one mature egg and inject one prepared sperm directly into the egg to achieve fertilization.
After fertilization occurs, the scientist will culture the resulting embryos for 3–5 days in the laboratory. During this period, the doctor will closely monitor the development of the embryos to ensure that they can develop properly.
The transfer of a developed embryo back into the uterine cavity can be performed in two ways:
Both methods depend on the doctor’s discretion, primarily based on the female partner’s physical readiness.
After the embryo has been transferred into the uterine cavity, the doctor will schedule the female partner to return for a pregnancy test within 10 days by measuring hormone levels through a blood test. If the pregnancy is progressing normally, she will then proceed to prenatal care and monitoring of the baby’s development, similar to a natural pregnancy.
Although IVF and ICSI are both infertility treatment procedures, the key difference is the method of fertilization. With IVF, the eggs and sperm are placed together so that the sperm can fertilize the egg on its own. With ICSI, one sperm is selected and injected directly into the egg. This can help increase the chance of fertilization in cases involving sperm-related factors or previous fertilization problems with IVF.
Many people may assume that retrieving a large number of eggs will result in a large number of embryos. In reality, the number of eggs gradually decreases at each stage, from the number of mature eggs and fertilization through cell division and development into the blastocyst stage. Therefore, the goal of ICSI is not simply to obtain a large number of eggs, but to consider the quality of the eggs, sperm, and embryo development together.
After fertilization, each embryo may develop differently. Some embryos may develop to the blastocyst stage, while others may stop developing before reaching this stage. Doctors and embryologists therefore need to evaluate embryo development and quality before deciding which embryos are suitable for transfer back into the uterine cavity.
Although ICSI can help address problems during the fertilization stage, the chance of pregnancy does not depend on fertilization alone. Important factors afterward include embryo development, endometrial quality, the female partner’s physical readiness, and the genetic factors of the embryo. Therefore, treatment planning should consider the overall factors of each couple rather than focusing only on the sperm injection step.
ICSI is suitable for couples with the following conditions:
ICSI is an infertility treatment that can provide couples with a 60–70% chance of successful pregnancy. This is considered a high success rate compared with other methods. However, the outcome also depends on various factors, such as the female partner’s age and physical readiness. As the female partner’s age increases, the chance of successful pregnancy decreases.
In addition to the factors mentioned above, choosing a hospital or clinic for ICSI is also an important factor that may help increase the chance of successful pregnancy.
Couples interested in ICSI can consult VFC Center, a specialized fertility center providing infertility treatment. VFC Center is the first fertility treatment center in the world to receive international accreditation for infertility treatment (CCPC) under JCI standards.
Our services cover consultation and treatment by obstetricians and gynecologists specializing in reproductive medicine, together with a team of scientists specializing in embryo culture. We are ready to provide consultation and care for infertility treatment, helping you build the complete family you desire.
The main difference between ICSI and IVF is the fertilization process.
With IVF, the eggs and sperm are prepared in a culture dish, allowing the sperm to swim toward and fertilize the egg naturally. It is suitable when the male partner has healthy sperm that can penetrate the egg on its own.
With ICSI, the doctor directly injects a sperm into the egg. It is suitable when the male partner has poor sperm quality or problems with sperm motility.
The ICSI process takes approximately 4–6 weeks, starting from the initial physical examination, ovarian stimulation, egg retrieval, and sperm collection through fertilization and embryo transfer back into the uterine cavity.
During the internal examination and transvaginal ultrasound, patients may feel some pressure in the vagina while the instrument is inserted, but it is generally not painful and takes only a short time (no more than 5 minutes).
Egg retrieval through the vagina is performed under general anesthesia. While the doctor retrieves the eggs, the patient will be completely asleep and will not feel pain. After egg retrieval, the patient may experience lower abdominal discomfort similar to menstrual cramps, but these symptoms usually resolve on their own within 1–2 days.
During ovarian stimulation, patients need to inject medication into the abdominal wall continuously for approximately 8–12 days. Because a small needle is used, there may be slight discomfort during the injections.
Sexual intercourse is possible during the ICSI process, but strict condom use is recommended to prevent the risk of multiple pregnancy.