gynecology and obstetrics
Assisted Reproductive Techniques
Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI)
This technique is useful when Other techniques are unsuccessful or are likely to be so. A severe sperm disorder is present. Oocytes are obtained as for IVF. A single sperm is injected into each oocyte to avoid fertilization by abnormal sperm. The embryo is then cultured and transferred as for IVF. Intracytoplasmic sperm injection is involved in about two thirds of ART cycles in the US. There is no benefit to using intracytoplasmic sperm injection in couples with low oocyte yield or advanced maternal age. If a couple's infertility involves the woman, > 30 of these procedures must be done to make one additional pregnancy likely. Thus, the additional costs and risks of intracytoplasmic sperm injection must be considered when deciding whether to use it. Risk of birth defects may be increased after intracytoplasmic sperm injection, possibly because of the following: The procedure itself can damage the sperm, egg, or embryo. Sperm from men who have mutations of the Y chromosome may be used. Most reported birth defects involve the male reproductive tract. 