How is ICSI different from IVF?

Before the husband's sperm can fertilize the wife's egg, the head of the sperm has to attach to the outside of the egg. After this, the sperm pushes through the outer layer of the egg and starts the process of fertilization.

ICSI is a type of In Vitro Fertilization (IVF). However, for the traditional IVF, normally thousands of sperm are placed next to an egg in a laboratory dish. This mean, whether a sperm penetrates the outer layer of the egg is up to chance. In this circumstance, where the sperms do not fertilize the egg, the fertilization process will not occur.

ICSI promotes the fertilization of the egg through directly injection a single sperm into the egg. Even though the sperm is directly injected, it does not guarantee fertilization. Research indicates that the success rates of ICSI fertilizing an egg varies between 50% to 80%.

When is ICSI recommended?

In some circumstances, the sperm may not be able to attach and penetrated the outer layer of the egg. The reasons for this include, but are not limited to:

• Anejaculation
• Blockage in the male reproductive system
• Low sperm count
• Poor sperm quality
• Retrograde ejaculation

As ICSI is a part of IVF treatments, to make a reservation for ICSI you would have to first start IVF treatments.

For more information and to make an appointment, please call 3351630 or send an email to fertility@treetophospital.com.