Understanding the difference betweein IVF and ICSI

IVF and ICSI are the most commonly used methods in the treatment of infertility. Both these methods of fertilization that takes place outside the body in a laboratory dish. These involve harvesting eggs and sperm for fertilization in a lab dish and nurturing the embryos in an incubator for 3-5 days before transferring them into the womb for implantation.

WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN IVF AND ICSI?

IVF or In-Vitro Fertilization is an assisted reproductive technology (ART) in which the extracted eggs and many sperms in the semen will be placed in a lab petridish allowing the sperm to penetrate the egg on its own like in natural fertilization. The fertilization usually occurs overnight and the resulting embryos will be kept in an incubator for development and after 3-5 days, the Doctor/ Embryologist will select the most promising and viable ones to transfer back into the women’s body.

In ICSI (Intra Cytoplasmic Sperm Injection), the Doctor or Embryologist selects a single sperm and meticulously injects into the egg directly under a microscope instead of the natural way of penetration. This form of IVF is more commonly used in cases of male factor infertility treatment.

IVF OR ICSI? WHICH ONE IS BETTER?

ICSI will be better for you if the cause for infertility is sperm related. ICSI is the most common and successful treatment for male infertility. Hence your doctor may recommend ICSI if the male has –

1. 1. A low sperm count
   2. An abnormality in the shape or motility of sperm
   3. If the sperm has to be collected surgically like in case of post-vasectomy
   4. There is anti-sperm antibody in the female partner.