What Is Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI)?
Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) is a technique used in IVF that fertilizes an egg with a pre-selected sperm. ICSI is performed by an embryologist in the laboratory under the guidance of a microscope. This helps to enable fertilization in cases where sperm have a low chance of fertilizing an egg on their own. Even when there are only a few sperm available, an embryologist can select the best sperm and directly insert it into the egg to fertilize it. Intracytoplasmic sperm injection has a high success rate, and this procedure has revolutionized the treatment of male infertility. Our team, led by Dr. Norbert Gleicher and Dr. David H. Barad, aims to provide top-quality care to help you achieve your goals of parenthood. To learn more about ICSI, contact the Center for Human Reproduction in New York, NY today.
How Does ICSI Work?
During a normal IVF cycle without ICSI at the Center for Human Reproduction, the eggs and sperm are mixed in a petri dish and fertilization occurs spontaneously in the dish. In contrast, in an IVF cycle utilizing ICSI, an embryologist selects the best sperm from a semen sample using a microscope and injects the sperm directly into an egg. After a few days, the fertilized eggs (now called embryos) are transferred into the uterus for pregnancy, just like in a normal IVF cycle without ICSI. An IVF-ICSI cycle is more or less the same experience for the patients in that ovarian stimulation is followed by egg retrieval and embryo transfer.
In some cases, Dr. Gleicher and Dr. Barad may be able to recognize ahead of time that ICSI will be needed based on the results of semen analysis or outcomes of previous IVF cycles. In other cases, it may not be until the day of egg retrieval ICSI is necessary due to poor sperm quality. Some conditions may prevent male partners from providing sperm samples. For instance, men with azoospermia (complete lack of sperm in the ejaculate) cannot produce sperm naturally. In such cases, there are surgical interventions that can retrieve potentially viable sperm directly from the epididymis (a small tube in the scrotum where sperm goes through its maturation process) or testicles. CHR works with a few expert urologists who can perform these micro-procedures. About 85% of azoospermic men can now become fathers of their own biological children this way.
What Are the Benefits of ICSI?
If you or your partner are facing male infertility, intracytoplasmic sperm injection could offer you several advantages. This advanced procedure involves directly injecting a single sperm into an egg, increasing the likelihood of fertilization. Some of the primary benefits include:
- Higher fertilization rates, even with low sperm count
- Enhanced success for sperm with poor motility or morphology
- Viable option for men with prior vasectomies of ejaculation
- Increased chance of pregnancy after previous IVF failures
- Effective treatment option when limited eggs are available after retrieval
Center For Human Reproduction Reviews
The doctors and staff are all great. They will go to great lengths and fight for every chance you have!
Great Doctor
Dr. Barad has elegant solutions to medical issues and is a skilled practitioner.
We are writing this letter of gratitude for Dr Norbert Gleicher and the entire staff at Center for Human Reproduction. My wife and I are so very thankful that we listened to Dr Gleicher's advice back on October 1st,2021 during a consultation he advised us to not allow our fertilized eggs to be discarded and killed.Our two eggs were tested and declared to be irregular by another IVF lab. We kept the eggs frozen and after 4 more failed IVF cycles came to Dr Gleicher for another try. We asked Dr Gleicher if it was worth a try to have eggs transferred into my wife and he studied the data and approved of the procedure. On February 7th,2024 we had 2 frozen eggs transferred and waited for the results.Finally later in February after the 13 day wait we were advised of blood test that confirmed that we were pregnant with an xx embryo from the transfer.XX is a girl and a huge feeling warmth and happiness overwhelmed both of us. We had several ultrasounds during the 4-5 weeks following and all were very positive with strong heartbeat and great growth, Today my wife is approaching her 18th week pregnant and all is going great with the development and follow up visits. Our baby is growing by the day and we look forward to our 20 week ultrasound for further development rate. If we had not discussed and listened to Dr Gleicher back in 2021 we would never have been so far with a pregnancy. The entire staff is wonderful and Hui Na was very helpful and communicative through the entire process with my wife. Please accept our sincere thank you and heartfelt praise for the team. Our baby is due around Oct 26th,2024 and we intend to vist to say thanks in person,we will make the trip from our home in Florida. Blessings to all.
My husband & I had an initial consultation with Dr. Barad, and were blown away by the time he spent with us & care he put into our conversation & next steps. For the first time in a long time on our infertility journey, it felt like someone actually heard us & our concerns. He's already suggested some new approaches we can take towards having a healthy pregnancy, that no other doctor ever mentioned, and we've been at this for years! The peace of mind & hope he offered alone were worth it. Would highly recommend.
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Who Is A Candidate for ICSI?
ICSI can improve the chance of pregnancy with IVF for couples who meet certain criteria. This procedure is ideal for males with a very low sperm count and/or azoospermia, or whose sperm cannot fertilize eggs on their own due to poor morphology (abnormal shape) or poor motility. It is also suitable for males who have had a vasectomy and need sperm collected from the epididymis or testicles and for those with ejaculation issues caused by various medical conditions. ICSI could also be an ideal option for couples whose previous IVF attempts failed due to poor fertilization or for couples who only have a few eggs available after retrieval due to diminished ovarian reserve. ICSI can achieve fertilization for many men as long as they have sperm somewhere in the reproductive tract. In cases of severe male-factor infertility, ICSI is generally a more attractive option than other treatments, such as intrauterine insemination (IUI), which has been found to be mostly ineffective.
Why Choose CHR for ICSI?
The Center for Human Reproduction stands out for its exceptional expertise and individualized care for couples considering ICSI. Led by Dr. Gleicher and Dr. Barad, the center offers innovative techniques and high success rates in addressing male infertility. With a commitment to customized treatment plans, CHR aims to ensure each patient receives the best possible care. Choose CHR for a comprehensive approach and proven success in helping couples achieve their dream of becoming parents, especially when other standard approaches have failed.