PICSI is an advanced form of ICSI that involves selecting sperm in a more natural, physiological manner before injecting it into the egg. It's designed to mimic the natural selection process of sperm by utilizing a hyaluronan gel to select mature, high-quality sperm, akin to the process occurring in the female reproductive tract.
Procedure
Similar to other fertility procedures, the woman’s menstrual cycle is monitored to predict ovulation
and time the procedure accordingly.
Mature eggs are collected from the woman, and sperm is collected
from either a partner or a donor.
Unlike conventional ICSI, PICSI uses a hyaluronan gel to select sperm. Sperm
that bind to this gel are considered more mature and are likely to have fewer DNA fragmentation,
hence are chosen for injection.
The selected sperm is then injected directly into an egg in a
controlled laboratory setting to facilitate fertilization.
The fertilized egg is monitored as it develops into an embryo.
Once ready, the embryo is transferred into the woman’s uterus for potential implantation and
pregnancy.
Why It Should Be Done
PICSI enhances the sperm selection process, aiming to choose the most mature and high-quality
sperm, potentially increasing the chances of successful fertilization and a healthy pregnancy.
By selecting sperm that bind to hyaluronan, the risk of using sperm with fragmented DNA is
reduced, which is beneficial for the health of the future baby.
Who Should Do It
Couples facing male factor infertility, particularly where there is a concern about the DNA integrity of the sperm, or those who have had previous unsuccessful IVF or ICSI attempts may find PICSI to be a suitable option.
Success Rate
The success rate of PICSI is influenced by various factors including the age and overall health of the individuals, the quality of the eggs and sperm, and the expertise of the fertility clinic.