If a semen analysis reveals that the percentage of sperm that are swimming is low or the percentage of sperm that are shaped normally is low, the chances of fertilization are reduced. Even when in vitro fertilization is attempted, the sperm may not be able to successfully fertilize the eggs unaided. In the past, patients with these conditions were usually forced to turn to insemination with donor sperm, or adoption. Fortunately, technology now allows us to perform an IVF technique known as intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) for New Jersey patients who have some degree of male factor infertility.
To perform this procedure, the eggs are removed from the ovaries, as in an ordinary in vitro fertilization cycle, and then, with the use of specialized equipment and a very powerful microscope, individual healthy sperm are selected and injected directly into the eggs.
Fertilization and normal embryonic development is obtained approximately 80 percent of the time following ICSI. Just as with our standard IVF procedures, embryos created through intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) at our New Jersey practice are allowed to develop to the blastocyst stage (approximately five or six days after conception) before being reintroduced into the uterus for implantation. Embryos cannot implant in the lining of the uterus before this stage and by allowing them to develop to this point, we are able to more accurately select those that are most likely to thrive.
To minimize the chances of multiple births, we will only replace two embryos into the uterus at a time during infertility treatment at our New York City metro area practice. Any remaining embryos created during intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) can be cryopreserved (frozen) for use during another cycle.
If you have further questions about intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), please contact our New Jersey fertility practice. We will be happy to answer any questions you may have.