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Fertilization Methods: IVF vs. ICSI

  • Writer: Sakshi Goswami
    Sakshi Goswami
  • Aug 11
  • 2 min read
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Fertilization is a cornerstone of the IVF process, where sperm meets the oocyte to form a zygote. This blog compares the two primary fertilization methods used in ART: conventional IVF and intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI).


Conventional IVF


  1. Process: Sperm and oocytes are co-cultured in a petri dish, allowing sperm to fertilize the egg naturally.

  2. Suitability: Ideal for patients with normal sperm parameters and no severe male factor infertility.

  3. Advantages: Mimics natural fertilization, is less invasive, and avoids potential risks associated with micromanipulation.


Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI)


  1. Process: A single sperm is injected directly into the cytoplasm of a mature oocyte using a microneedle.

  2. Suitability: Preferred for severe male factor infertility, low sperm count or motility, or previous IVF failures.

  3. Advantages: Ensures fertilization even with limited or poor-quality sperm.


Comparing IVF and ICSI

Parameter

IVF

ICSI

Fertilization Method

Natural sperm-egg fusion

Direct sperm injection

Indications

Normal sperm parameters

Severe male factor infertility

Cost

Lower

Higher

Success Rates

Variable, based on sperm quality

Higher in severe male infertility cases

Factors Influencing Method Choice


  1. Sperm Quality: ICSI is often the preferred method for abnormal sperm parameters.

  2. Patient History: Previous fertilization failures may warrant the use of ICSI.

  3. Cost and Resources: IVF is less expensive and may be suitable for couples with no significant male factor infertility.


Clinical Outcomes


Both methods have high success rates when applied to the appropriate patient population. However, ICSI is often favored for its ability to overcome fertilization barriers.



References

  1. Palermo, G., et al. (1992). Intracytoplasmic sperm injection: a novel treatment for all forms of male infertility. The Lancet, 340(8810), 17-18. Link

  2. Bhattacharya, S., et al. (2001). Conventional in-vitro fertilisation versus intracytoplasmic sperm injection for the treatment of non-male-factor infertility: a randomised controlled trial. The Lancet, 357(9274), 2075-2079. Link

 
 
 

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