Factors affecting the results of intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI)

The article was professionally consulted by Dr., Doctor To Minh Huong - Head of Clinical Reproductive Support Unit, Vinmec Times City International General Hospital.

Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) has become one of the most popular assisted reproductive techniques in the world. There are many factors affecting the success of ICSI technique such as: sperm quality, age of the wife, egg activation process and egg damage rate.

Intra-Cytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI) is a method that brings about high fertilization efficiency with the rate of 60-85%. Unlike conventional in vitro fertilization (IVF), ICSI uses only a single sperm to inject directly into an egg. And the selected sperm is the best sperm in terms of morphology and motility.
Since its birth, ICSI has brought great hope to infertile couples whose infertility is caused by failure to ejaculate, low sperm count, anti-sperm antibodies or low quality eggs, Eggs and sperm cannot be combined even though the husband has normal semen... Therefore, today, ICSI accounts for a high percentage of assisted reproductive programs in medical centers around the world.

When evaluating the factors affecting the successful treatment results of the method of intracytoplasmic sperm injection, scientists believe that sperm quality plays an important role but not absolute. Sperm with poor mobility, no sperm in semen, abnormally shaped sperm, etc. can still be used and fertilized successfully. Male infertility cases due to poor quality sperm can still have children through ICSI, as long as there is at least one motile sperm obtained after washing for injection into the oocyte cytoplasm.

In a study of 92 couples, scientists injected sperm into the oocyte cytoplasm in 1,163 eggs and obtained a successful fertilization rate of 61%. The pregnancy rate after performing ICSI technique in women under 34 years old is 49%, women 35 - 39 years old is 23% and women 40 years old is only 6%. The results showed that fertilization rates were not affected by a woman's age, but pregnancy rates were lower in older women due to declining egg quality.

When using ICSI for assisted reproduction, egg activation is not required. However, scientists believe that the process of egg activation will increase the rate of successful fertilization and pregnancy thanks to the technique of rapid aspiration and injection of sperm into the egg cytoplasm. At that time, the egg will be activated, easily dissolved and quickly fertilized successfully.

During ICSI, egg damage can occur. Results of some centers performing ICSI show that the rate of damaged eggs after injection is about 7 - 14%. There are many causes of egg damage: Ultrastructural and plasma membrane disorders, destruction of achromatic spindles, release of egg cytoplasm after injection... Besides, temperature changes causes irreversible changes to the achromatic spindle of human eggs.
In addition, ovarian stimulation can also affect the success of ICSI. Women treated with higher doses of gonadotropins (due to low estradiol levels) develop both immature and mature eggs. When sperm is injected into these eggs, there is a higher risk of damage to the eggs.
Besides, the proficient implementation of the technique will contribute to reducing the rate of egg damage, increasing the success of the ICSI method.

Intracytoplasmic sperm injection is a common technique in assisted reproduction methods, increasing the success rate when treating male infertility and other causes of infertility. ICSI is a measure to bring happiness to infertile couples.
Couples who want to learn and consult about this technique should seek quality and reputable medical facilities in the field of infertility treatment. The Reproductive Support Center of Vinmec International General Hospital - the leading modern center in Vietnam - is a worthy address for customers to place their trust in. here gathers a team of leading experts in the field of obstetrics and gynecology nationally and internationally, trained at leading centers in the world such as in the US, Singapore, Japan, Australia and birth support centers. famous products in the world. With a high level of expertise and extensive experience, Vinmec's team of experts is capable of synchronously and comprehensively deploying today's most advanced assisted reproductive techniques, helping to realize fulfill the parenting dream of hundreds of families across Vietnam.