What is Microinjection?
ICSI (intracytoplasmic sperm injection) or microinjection is a method applied especially to couples who have issues such as low sperm count or poor sperm motility.
Unlike standard IVF treatment, in the ICSI method, a sperm cell taken into a glass needle is directly injected into the egg. Patients with low sperm count, low motility, or abnormal sperm morphology can have the chance of having children through the microinjection method.
Who is Microinjection Applied to?
- When the sperm count is very low,
- In cases of azoospermia (no sperm),
- For couples who have previously undergone conventional IVF treatment without success,
- In cases of sperm abnormalities in shape (morphology),
- For couples experiencing unexplained infertility,
- In cases where preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) will be applied.
How is Microinjection Method Performed?
We can summarize the difference between conventional IVF and intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) as follows. In conventional IVF treatment, after the collection of eggs and sperm cells, they are placed in the same environment and expected to fertilize naturally. In the ICSI method, on the other hand, selected high-quality sperm cells are injected into the egg cell using micropipettes under a microscope. The difference between conventional IVF and ICSI lies in the fertilization process being different.
In ICSI, the sperm cells to be used in the fertilization process are selected by magnifying the cells under a microscope by 400-600 times. Sperms go through a series of procedures in the laboratory to obtain the healthiest sperm cell for injection. Sperm cells with as normal morphology and fast motility as possible are used for the fertilization process, increasing the chances of success.
What is the IMSI Method?
In the IMSI (Intracytoplasmic Morphologically Selected Sperm Injection) method, the sperm is magnified up to 6,000-8,000 times, allowing for much more detailed examination and providing the opportunity to prevent failures that may arise from the sperm. This advanced technique enables the selection of sperm with the best morphology and reduces the risk of using sperm with potential abnormalities or defects, thereby increasing the chances of successful fertilization.
Who Can Benefit from IMSI?
The IMSI (Intracytoplasmic Morphologically Selected Sperm Injection) method is suitable for the following conditions:
- Patients with a high percentage of abnormal sperm
- Men over 35 years of age
- Women with a low number of eggs
- Patients who have had good-quality eggs but failed to obtain good-quality embryos in previous treatments
- Patients with previous unsuccessful attempts
- Patients with a history of miscarriages
After the preference of the IMSI method in the treatment of couples experiencing significant decrease in sperm count, motility, and morphology (structural abnormalities), the use of high-quality sperm has been shown to improve embryo quality and pregnancy rates compared to previous treatments.
Both ICSI and IMSI procedures select sperm based solely on their external appearance under a microscope. Therefore, genetic abnormalities or changes in genetic structure that may exist in sperm cells cannot be detected by these methods. However, some recent studies have reported that sperm cells selected with IMSI are healthier in terms of genetic abnormalities and carry lower genetic damage.
The decision to use the IMSI technique in your treatment and whether it will benefit you should be based on the available medical information and results, as determined by your doctor.
Successful Treatments with Well-Equipped Embryology Laboratory
The strength of an embryology laboratory equipped with advanced technology is an important criterion that affects treatment success. In our laboratory, we perform microinjection methods in many treatments using our state-of-the-art equipment and internationally certified embryologists who are experts in their field.
Microinjection Prices
To ask your questions and obtain detailed information about pricing and the process, please fill out our contact form, and we will give you a call.
