Intra Cytoplasmic Injection (ICSI)
Intracytoplasmic sperm Injection (ICSI) is recommended for couples in whom thesperm characteristics are too poor to perform traditional IVF, high levels of sperm antibodies are present, prior IVF attempts have failed. One sperm is injected into the egg using a special microscope. ICSI can dramatically improve the likelihood of fertilization when male infertility disorders such as low sperm counts, low sperm motility or high number of abnormally shaped sperm are present. (Fig-5)
IMSI Procedure
IMSI is a modification of the ICSI technique where sperm samples are examined under a microscope that is almost 6000 times more powerful to better assess their "morphology". At a higher power the embryologist can identify tiny defects in the sperm head that would not otherwise be visible with standard ICSI.
Although it is yet to be confirmed to be of benefit for all requiring sperm injection, it is recommended in those with a history of recurrent implantation failures, recurrent ICSI failures or severe teratospermia (abnormal sperm shape).
In essence it is a selection tool, to aid embryologists choose the optimal sperm for ICSI. If the sperm count or motility is already so low that it limits the number of sperm available for ICSI, IMSI may not be a suitable technique for you.
Oocyte Retrieval
Transvaginal oocyte / Egg retrieval (TVOR), also referred to as egg collection, is a technique used in in vitro fertilization (IVF) in order to remove oocytes from the ovary of the female, enabling fertilization outside the body. Transvaginal oocyte retrieval is more properly referred to as transvaginal ovum retrieval when the oocytes have matured into ova, as is normally the case in IVF .
When the follicles are mature (determined by ultrasound measurements of follicle size and hormone measurements), the egg aspiration procedure is done to take the eggs out.
We use short general anesthesia for the ovum pick up, making it a painless procedure for the patient.
