Microinjection (ICSI, Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection)

The microinjection method (Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection, ICSI) is a method frequently used in IVF treatment thanks to its high success rate. It is known that the microinjection method is 80% successful. The microinjection method is used in the fertilisation phase of IVF treatment. In classical IVF treatment, egg and sperm are expected to fertilise spontaneously. When the microinjection method is used, this process is carried out by injecting the sperm into the egg. It is especially applied in cases where sperm is scarce. Microinjection isthe most successful method in IVF treatment .

What is Microinjection (ICSI)?

Microinjection is the process of injecting sperm into the egg with the help of a needle. In the IVF method, the sperm is expected to fertilise the egg by itself, whereas in the microinjection method, the healthiest sperm is injected into the egg. The microinjection method aims to achieve a high success rate in IVF treatment. Microinjection method is also known as ICSI, intracytoplasmic sperm injection.

To whom is microinjection applied?

Microinjection method is used in IVF treatment. In the IVF method applied in the IVF method, the sperms placed next to the egg are expected to fertilise the egg spontaneously. However, if the sperm count is low in the person, this process may fail. In infertility of unknown cause, the problem may also be that the sperm cannot fertilise the egg spontaneously. In this case, fertilisation is achieved by direct injection of sperm into the egg using the microinjection method.

• If the sperm count in the male is low,
• If the sperm cells in the semen of a man are immobile,
• If the sperm morphology is defective,
• If the number of eggs in the woman is also low,
• If in vitro fertilisation has been tried before but was not successful,
• If the sperm sample could not be obtained by ejaculation and was obtained by surgery (TESA, TESE),
• If the cause is unknown and unexplained infertility, the microinjection method may be appropriate.

What is the difference between classic IVF and ICSI (microinjection)?

Microinjection and classical IVF are actually methods that start in the same way but differ from each other in the fertilisation phase. IVF treatment; It is preferred in cases where there is no apparent sperm problem. Microinjection treatment; It is preferred in cases of infertility with sperm problems or unknown infertility cases. However, in our daily practice, we perform IVF treatments using ICSI, i.e. microinjection method. Because microinjection method is a method that increases treatment success.

Microinjection differs from the classical IVF method in that a single selected sperm cell is injected into the egg cell. With the help of the enzyme used, the cells around the egg are cleaned and the injection process is performed under a microscope with the help of micropipettes. In classical IVF, sperm and egg are kept together in a special culture environment and the sperm is expected to fertilise the egg.

Microinjection Stages

In the microinjection method, the eggs are first enlarged and collected with certain drugs, then the best quality sperm is selected and fertilisation is achieved. Finally, the fertilised eggs, i.e. embryos, are monitored and transferred to the mother's uterus on the 3rd or 5th day. If frozen embryo transfer is planned instead of fresh transfer, embryos are frozen at this stage and transferred later.

In IVF treatment using the microinjection method, eggs are divided into two groups as maturing and immature eggs. Mature eggs are used for fertilisation. Peeling is performed to remove other cells around the eggs prepared for fertilisation.

At the same time, sperm is taken from the man to select the healthiest and highest quality sperm. The process of sperm retrieval from the man is performed by ejaculation or surgical sperm retrieval (TESA or TESE). In the microinjection method, the sperm selection stage is very important for the realisation of pregnancy. Sperm morphology, sperm maturity and the absence of DNA damage are important.

The healthiest sperm is injected into the selected mature egg under a microscope in a laboratory environment. After 17-18 hours after the injection, it is checked whether fertilisation has occurred. The microinjection procedure takes 15-20 minutes on average. Microinjection treatment is an easy and short method.

What are the risks of microinjection?

Microinjection risks are generally very low. However, among the complications of microinjection, headache and vaginal discharge, tenderness in the breasts, bleeding, weight gain, high fever can be seen in the person before microinjection, during the stimulation of the egg. OHSS symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, tenderness in the ovaries may also be observed after the injection for egg maturation. OHSS disease that occurs in IVF treatment is usually eliminated from the body with oedema within 2-3 weeks.

The risk of miscarriage seen when microinjection method is used with IVF treatment and conception is similar to the risk of miscarriage seen when conception occurs naturally.

What are the prices of microinjection treatment in Istanbul?

Microinjection treatment prices are an issue that couples applying for IVF treatment are curious about. IVF treatment is a treatment that may have a high financial and moral obligation. First of all, the couple should be examined for IVF treatment and it should be determined whether the couple is suitable for the use of microinjection method. For microinjection treatment prices, you can contact Assoc. Prof. Dr. Çiğdem Yayla Abide, an expert in IVF.