ICSI is a procedure in which one immobilized sperm is sucked into a very narrow pipette and then injected inside the egg, allowing fertilization to take place.

Couples with male factor infertility can use a powerful technique called intra-cytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) to realize their aim of parenthood. The ICSI procedure was initially developed for severe male factor cases when the number and/or functional capacity of sperm is not sufficient for standard IVF. The first baby from ICSI at the Alta Bates IVF Program was born in April 1995.

Both vasectomy reversal and ICSI/sperm aspiration are good alternatives to father a child after vasectomy. They each have advantages and drawbacks. In most situations vasectomy reversal offers the most desirable option for pregnancy. It requires one procedure be performed only on the man and couples can then try to get pregnant every month the old fashioned way in bed at home.

The advantage of ICSI is the possibility for some couples to establish a pregnancy quicker than with vasectomy reversal. We recommend ICSI/sperm harvesting in those situations where vasectomy reversal would be difficult or impossible, the female partner is of advanced reproductive age, or when there is also a female factor contributing to the infertility. Each couples' circumstances are unique and need to be addressed on an individual basis.

PatchLink, is headquartered in Scottsdale, AZ. They recognize the importance to have a presence and support in other areas of the country, therefore a partnership with ICSI was created. ICSI is a woman-owned company located in the Washington, D.C./Baltimore, MD metropolitan area. It was founded in 1987. They are a PatchLink platinum reseller and best practices partner with a sales and support team well positioned to cover the east coast for PatchLink.

It is a process through which an individual sperm is injected inside the oocyte. It is often used for men with very poor sperm counts or in some cases, where no sperm in the ejaculate and we use testicular sperms.

There are many reasons why women will need to have the ICSI procedure done to help fertilize their eggs. ICSI stands for Cytoplasmic Sperm Injection, where a single sperm is selected and injected into the cytoplasm of the egg to hopefully fertilize the egg and it is most often done in the case of male factor infertility.

Complication called Ovarian Hyper Stimulation Syndrome is always feared during this treatment .It is more in younger females and esp. females with Polycystic Ovaries. To avoid that, treating physician always keeps a check on growing follicles and titrates the doses of Gonadotropins. If it is still imminent ,then we do not transfer the embryos in that particular cycle and Freeze them to transfer later on. Chances of this complications are very low and usually treated in a conservative manner.

One complete IVF or ICSI cycle takes approximately six to eight weeks. First, the normal menstruation cycle of the woman is down regulated by injection or nasal application of specific hormones each day. This part of the cycle can vary from a few days to several weeks. When the ovaries have become inactive, shown on ultrasound control and laboratory findings, the stimulation of the ovaries start by muscular or subcutaneous injections of hormones.

IVF and ICSI treatment should not be considered to be a single treatment solution. Patients should be prepared to go through at least 3 to 4 cycles to give themselves a fair chance of becoming pregnant as the likelihood of conception is cumulative. For example, with 4 treatment cycles, the chance of getting pregnant is about 70 %.

In vitro fertilisation (IVF) is the scientific name given to the process with is used to conceive a child outside the body. During the IVF process, an egg is removed from the woman’s ovary and is then fertilised with her partner’s sperm. The fertilised egg and sperm will then be inserted back into the patient through the cervix. IVF is often the only means of achieving a pregnancy for women whose fallopian tubes are blocked.

Yes, Now test Tube Baby procedure is offered to almost all patients who fail to conceive by conventional or simpler mode of treatment. It is very successful for patients with very few sperms / nil sperms. Other patients with endometriosis, egg problem, elderly patients, IUI failures can also achieve motherhood by this wonderful procedure.

IVF charges are Rs.70,000 ( US$ 2000 ) and ICSI Charges are Rs.80,000 (US$ 2300 ) .It includes all ,like drugs ,disposables and tests and sonography examinations. Special discounts are given if female partner is less than 27 yrs and with good antral follicle count ( discretion depends on the physician ).These costs are for one attempt and this information is updated in March 2007. Compromise in quality during IVF treatment never gives success.