ICSI
Indications and results
Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection
Is a form of IVF (‘IVF with ICSI’)
Male factor infertility
• Oligozoospermia
• Azoospermia
• Sperm motility problems
– Epididymal and testicular sperm (non-mature and
non-motile) PESA, MESA, MESE
– Cogenital BAVD (ciliary defect)
Repeated failed standard IVF
Changing indications : some labs now only offer ICSI. Most still
offer IVF or IVF with ICSI
Genetics
Karyotype analysis is essential in
– severe oligozoospermia (6-7%)
– azoospermia (15%)
• mutations in the long arm of the y chromosome
Yq in the AZFc (DAZ gene). Offspring if male
will also be infertile.
– CBAVD : check for cystic fibrosis gene in patient
plus partner
ICSI
Oocyte collection. Stimulate superovulation with human
menopausal gonadotrophin (hMG) or pure recombinant FSH,
then hCG
Ovaries enlarge to tennis ball size. Oocytes removed by needle
aspiration through posterior fornix with TVUSS guidance
Remove cumulus cells. Inject a paralysed sperm into the
cytoplasm.
Fertilization rate is 60-70% with < 10 % ova damaged during
ICSI
IVF / ICSI
ICSI
Partial
Zona
Diossection
PZD
Standard IVF
Subzonal
Injection
SUZI
Results
Sperm can be retrieved in 100% of men with obstructive
azoospermia and 50% of men with non obstructive azoospermia.
Even in sertoli-cell only etc : pockets with PESA/MESA and MESE
In year 2000 in the UK
– 12051 cycles of IVF : 2861 live births = 23.7 % THBR
– 9322 cycles of ICSI : 2246 live births = 24.1% THBR
– < 10% oocytes were damaged during ICSI
30-40% multiple pregnancy rate (2-3 zygotes used <35 yrs female)
In 1998 in the UK
– 7937 babies born with IVF / ICSI : congenital abnormality rate almost
identical to general population 1.1 % / 1.6%
ICSI MCQ
Has a significant risk of multiple pregnancy because more than
one sperm can be accidentally injected
Has superceded partial zona dissection (PZD) and subzonal
injection (SUZI)
Is regulated by the Human Fertilization and Embryology
Authority (HFEA) after passing of the Human Fertilization and
Embryology Act in 1990
Is indicated only in male factor infertility
Has had a negative impact on the thorough treatment of
obstructive azoospermia by Urologists