Intracytoplasmic sperm injection( ICSI

ICSI
Schematic image of intracytoplasmic sperm injection in the context of IVF.
This procedure is most commonly used to overcome male infertility problems, although it may also be used where eggs cannot easily be penetrated by sperm, and occasionally in addition to sperm donation.
It can be used in teratozoospermia, because once the egg is fertilized, abnormal sperm morphology does not appear to influence blastocyst development or blastocyst morphology. Even with severe teratozoospermia, microscopy can still detect the few sperm cells that have a "normal" morphology, allowing for optimal success rate.
Procedure
ICSI is generally performed following an in vitro fertilization procedure to extract one to several oocytes from a woman.
The procedure is done under a microscope using multiple micromanipulation devices (micromanipulator, microinjectors and micropipettes). A holding pipette stabilizes the mature oocyte with gentle suction applied by a microinjector. From the opposite side a thin, hollow glass micropipette is used to collect a single sperm, having immobilised it by cutting its tail with the point of the micropipette. The oocyte is pierced through the oolemma and directed to the inner part of the oocyte (cytoplasm). The sperm is then released into the oocyte. The pictured oocyte has an extruded polar body at about 12 o'clock indicating its maturity. The polar body is positioned at the 12 or 6 o'clock position, to ensure that the inserted micropipette does not disrupt the spindle inside the egg. After the procedure, the oocyte will be placed into cell culture and checked on the following day for signs of fertilization.
'Washed' or 'unwashed' sperm may be used in the process.
Live birth rate are significantly higher with progesterone for luteal support in ICSI cycles.[6] Also, addition of a GNRH agonist for luteal support in ICSI cycles has been estimated to increase success rates,[6] by a live birth rate RD of +16% (95% confidence interval +10 to +22%).[7]
Success or failure factors
Potential factors that may influence pregnancy rates (and live birth rates) in ICSI include level of DNA fragmentation] as measured e.g. by Comet assay, advanced maternal age and semen quality.