ICSI and IMSI

ICSI was introduced as a clinical level improvement to conventional IVF treatments. It involves carefully selecting only one single sperm of the best quality for injection into an egg to achieve fertilisation.

Similar to the ICSI procedure, this is an enhanced assessment of the sperm which uses a far greater magnifying power. By being able to select only the sperm without any morphological alterations called ‘vacuoles’  can increase the chances of successful fertilization and normal embryo development. It can also decrease any likelihood of miscarriage. IMSI has shown to improve chances of pregnancy in couples whereby the male has a high level of DNA fragmentation index in the sperm.

Fertilisation rates following ICSI/IMSI can be high, but unfortunately not all fertilised eggs will develop into healthy embryos. Depending on the woman’s age, some of the eggs may be abnormal and therefore fertilisation may result in an abnormal embryo. It is rare that any eggs, sperm or resultant embryos are damaged in the procedure although some of the eggs may be very fragile and may not be able to sustain the micromanipulation procedure leading to disintegration. The HFEA site also acknowledges that there may be a risk of long term health issues for children conceived using IVF with ICSI as the sperm used in the procedure may not have otherwise fertilized an egg naturally, although, as yet, there is no conclusive evidence.

It is important for you and your partner to discuss the ICSI risks and benefits with our Consultant as they can provide information that’s specific to your personal fertility history. By obtaining a better understanding of ICSI risks and how they may impact you and your family, can help you make an informed decision on whether or not to pursue this particular course of fertility treatment.