ICSI (Intra Cytoplasmatic Sperm Injection)

In IVF, the primary indication is a bilateral fallopian tube blockage. In contrast, the recommendation for ICSI treatment is typically based on reduced sperm quality. A semen analysis (spermiogram) provides detailed information about sperm quality.

The process of ICSI therapy is initially the same as with IVF:

• Ovarian stimulation is carried out using hormones, which are self-administered via injection.
• Follicle aspiration (egg retrieval) is performed under short general anesthesia.
• After the eggs are retrieved, they are cleaned (denuded). Unlike IVF, the biologist can carefully select the best eggs for fertilization during ICSI.
• Using a high-resolution microscope, the best sperm cells are selected for the ICSI method.
• These sperm cells are then injected directly into the cytoplasm of the egg using a micropipette (ICSI) to fertilize it.

The resulting embryo is gently transferred into the uterine cavity a few days after the ICSI procedure using a catheter.