|  | Surgeries Operations | Surgeries

The Definition of ICSI

Intracytoplasmic sperm injection, or ICSI, is a form of fertility treatment used when a couple has trouble conceiving. The treatment involves injecting an egg with a single sperm cell in hopes that it will fertilize.

  1. Who Needs ICSI?

    • According to the UCSF Medical Center, the main reason to use ICSI occurs when there is a case of male factor infertility. However, other unexplained infertility problems cause couples to consider ICSI more often. Other such problems include prior in vitro fertilization that failed, and a small number of eggs available for fertilization.

    Procedure

    • The procedure involves using a very long, thin needle to capture a single sperm cell and then carefully inserting the needle into the center, or cytoplasm, of the egg. The needle then inserts the sperm cell very carefully into the egg. The following morning, lab assistants check the egg for fertilization.

    Concerns

    • One of the concerns that doctors have with this procedure, according to the Baby Center, is that an abnormal sperm cell can potentially fertilize an egg causing possible developmental problems for the child. There is also the chance of the child having a chromosomal abnormality. This chance is four times higher than with a natural conception. As of 2007, doctors are unaware of why there is this increased risk.

Surgeries - Related Articles