This technique is used to deal with male infertility when in vitro fertilization is not possible because the man has very few motile, normal sperm, or when previous attempts at IVF have not produced a fertilized embryo. ICSI requires a single sperm which is injected directly into the cytoplasm of an egg previously retrieved from the woman. Once fertilized, the embryo is transferred to her uterus. For men with no sperm in the semen, it may be possible to retrieve sperm by needle aspiration of the epididymis under local anaesthetic. Other techniques involve microsurgical retrieval from the epididymis or testicle under a general anaesthetic. Potential complications include scrotal pain, bruising, haematoma formation and infection. ICSI and surgical spermretrieval require extensive training and expertise and are currently available in only a few selected infertility units.
A commonly used assisted reproduction technique, in which spermatozoa, usually from a man with obstructive azoospermia or a low sperm count, are introduced directly into the ova of his partner. Some oocytes become fertilized and can then be transferred to the woman’s uterus, where they mature.
A remedy for male infertility involving the retrieval of a single sperm from a semen sample, which is then inserted into an egg. Subsequently, the fertilized egg is positioned within the woman’s uterus.