Male factor infertility: when is ICSI recommended?

Male factor infertility: when is ICSI recommended?

Starting or growing a family becomes a challenging experience for couples who face infertility issues. Most people who consider fertility challenges typically examine female reproductive health issues such as ovulatory problems, hormonal imbalances, and anatomical problems. Scientific data indicates that male infertility causes approximately half of all infertility cases that exist globally. When dealing with these complex cases, doctors often use Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI) as an assisted reproductive technique to generate hope for treatment success.

At Maaeri Fertility & IVF, we will explain male factor infertility together with ICSI procedures while discussing its proper application through this blog. Learning about this complex fertility procedure will improve your sense of readiness for parenthood together with your partner.

Understanding Male Factor Infertility

A man’s inability to successfully contribute to conception defines male factor infertility. The inability to produce sperm along with malformed sperm, impaired movement, or genetic abnormalities, counts as male-factor infertility. Several known factors that cause male infertility include:

  • Low sperm count: A semen analysis showing reduced sperm concentration leads to substantially decreased chances of sperm fertilizing an egg.
  • Poor sperm motility: The inability of sperm to move appropriately despite normal sperm counts makes it difficult for these cells to travel to the egg for fertilization.
  • Abnormal sperm shape: Male fertility declines when sperm cells possess structural abnormalities that affect their head or tail shape because they become unable to fertilize an egg successfully.
  • Obstructions or blockages: The presence of physical obstructions within the male reproductive tract stops sperm from showing up in semen samples and from being released during ejaculation.

Multiple health risks, including stress along with smoking and alcohol consumption and toxin exposure, and specific medical conditions like diabetes can negatively impact sperm quality.

The diagnosis of male factor infertility at Maaeri IVF and Fertility requires multiple tests, including semen analysis and hormonal exams, joined with genetic assessments and imaging scans. The extensive testing process enables medical professionals to identify appropriate treatments for every couple.

What is Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI)?

The advanced reproductive practice known as Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI) functions as a technique doctors use during In Vitro Fertilization (IVF). Traditional IVF procedures mix sperm with eggs in the laboratory for natural sperm-egg fertilization to occur. Fertilization becomes unlikely when a man experiences severe sperm count deficiency together with impaired sperm movement or major sperm dysfunction.

ICSI solves this problem by using a precise method of choosing one sperm for direct placement inside each mature egg. Through this method, scientists avoid several barriers sperm normally encounter while trying to reach and penetrate the eggshell membrane. ICSI continues to be the preferred treatment for couples experiencing various degrees of male-factor infertility.

When Is ICSI Recommended?

ICSI treatment becomes a suitable option for many medical situations that involve sperm-related difficulties. The following list presents the main criteria determining when medical professionals recommend ICSI.

Severely Low Sperm Count

A man with extremely low sperm count (oligospermia) faces minimal chances for successful fertilization through IVF, but ICSI dramatically raises these odds by performing direct sperm injection into the egg.

Poor Sperm Motility or Abnormal Morphology

The sperm's ineffective movement and abnormal forms prevent them from successfully binding or penetrating the egg. The procedure of ICSI allows fertilization through direct sperm injection of the healthiest-looking sperm into the egg.

Prior Failed Fertilization in Conventional IVF

Some couples begin traditional IVF treatment but learn that their fertilization success rates turn out to be nonexistent or highly minimal. ICSI is a recommended procedure for future cycles to improve egg fertilization success rates.

Obstructive or Non-Obstructive Azoospermia

Male patients with azoospermic conditions caused by reproductive tract blockages can get sperm retrieved through testicular sperm extraction (TESE). The limited quantity of sperm obtained from such procedures requires ICSI to be the primary method for achieving fertilization.

Frozen Sperm Samples

Sperm quality decreases after thawing when doctors store them as part of medical treatment before chemotherapy. The ICSI procedure leads to successful fertilization because it works even with low numbers of viable sperm.

Genetic or Other Underlying Factors

The fertility specialist might suggest ICSI when treating patients with genetic disorders or unexplained infertility. Using a single healthy sperm during the process lowers the potential transmission of genetic problems but requires further genetic examinations.

How ICSI Works Step by Step

The female partner needs to undergo standard IVF ovarian stimulation through medication treatment for this procedure. The fertility medications enable the production of multiple eggs, which doctors retrieve through ultrasound imaging.

  • Sperm Preparation: The lab processes semen samples after collection or surgical retrieval according to medical necessity. Embryologists choose sperm cells with high mobility and exhibit standard form during selection.
  • Microscopic Injection: Medical personnel use high-powered microscopes to select one sperm with a glass needle, which they directly inject into each mature egg.
  • Fertilization and Embryo Culture: The monitoring process confirms that all eggs fertilized successfully after the injection. The fertilized embryos spend multiple days developing inside an advanced incubation system.
  • Embryo Transfer: The best-developing embryo gets transferred into the woman's uterus. The surviving embryos can be frozen for later use.

Success Rates and Considerations

The treatment of male factor infertility has advanced through ICSI because this method produces better fertilization results than traditional IVF for couples facing sperm-related infertility problems. The treatment success depends on multiple elements, such as the woman's age, the quality of her eggs, the state of her uterus, and any existing genetic or anatomical conditions.

The medical procedure of ICSI has proven to be generally safe yet maintains some potential risks that include occasional embryo damage from the injection technique and minimal genetic abnormality potential. Your fertility specialist will explain possible risks while performing required genetic tests to achieve optimal results.

Moving Forward with Confidence at Maaeri Fertility & IVF

The selection process for fertility treatments leads many patients to experience confusion, yet they can handle this process with professional guidance. Maaeri Fertility & IVF delivers personalized patient care through modern reproductive technology to help patients achieve their dream of becoming parents. Maaeri Fertility & IVF provides personalized guidance for all patients who choose IVF with ICSI treatment and other fertility solutions.

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