ICSI is a procedure by which a single sperm is injected directly into the center of an egg to increase the chance of fertilization. The procedure is particularly helpful to couples undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF) who have a reduced chance of fertilization through standard egg insemination procedures.
Couples who have been diagnosed with male factor infertility are excellent candidates for ICSI. Many of these couples have used Therapeutic Donor Insemination in the past. ICSI provides the opportunity to conceive their own biological offspring.
There are many other reasons to consider ICSI, such as those patients who have failed fertilization in previous IVF treatments. We will discuss ICSI with you if we believe that it may be beneficial. Please feel free to ask to discuss ICSI if you think that it is relevant to your treatment.
The literature indicates that this technology offers up to a 65% fertilization rate per egg (oocyte).
Since ICSI is a fairly new procedure there may be risks to the fetus and/or mother that have not yet been identified. To date there is no evidence to suggest that babies born as a result of this procedure have any higher risk of birth defects than those conceived through intercourse. Where indicated, we offer chromosomal testing to our patients. There is a small risk of egg degeneration as a result of the egg being perforated during the procedure.
AART Atlantic Assisted Reproductive Technologies • 902.404.8600 • info@aart.ca • Suite 213, 1535 Dresden Row, Halifax, NS, B3J 3T1