ICSI and TESE

Selection of sperm cells (ICSI)

ICSI – or intracytoplasmic sperm injection – is a modification of the IVF procedure.

When after sperm preparation the number of sperm cells is low or their motility is impaired, their ability to fertilise the egg is reduced. To increase the chance of fertilisation, the embryologist selects a single sperm that looks normal under the microscope and injects it carefully into the egg using a very thin glass pipette. This process is also referred to as micro-insemination.

Also, if the man has had a fever within the last three months, the chances of fertilisation are higher when using ICSI as we know that fever adversely affects sperm quality.

Have a look at the video to see how ICSI is performed.

Testicular sperm extraction (TESE)

Men continue to produce sperm after a vasectomy, but the sperm is not able to leave the testicles as the spermatic cord has been cut off. In that case it is possible to collect viable sperm by surgically removing a small amount of testicular tissue. The embryologist will isolate the sperm cells and fertilise the egg by carefully inserting a single sperm cell into each egg using ICSI.