Procedure of IVF
Oocyte Fertilization
On the day of oocyte collection, husband delivers a sperm sample.
In special cases we may use cryopreserved sperm sample of the husband that previously collected
When no sperm is found in sperm sample, sperm from the testis can be used for oocyte fertilization. This sperm is taken with TESE or FNA. Sperm donation from a sperm bank can be done when indicated.
What is TESE or FNA?
TESE is the TEsticular Sperm Extraction. Under local anaesthesia or sedetion sperm is taken directly from the testis through small incisions. It is done in cases of non- obstructive azoospermia.
FNA or Fine Needle Aspiration. Under local anaesthesia or sedetion sperm is aspirated from the testis with the use of small needles. It is done in cases of obstructive azoospermia (i.e when there is a block in the canal that delivers the sperm).
They are generally well tolerated and man can go on with their work or daily activity.
The biopsy material is examined for spermatozoa that can be used to fertilize the oocytes with ICSI.
What is the preferable method of Fertilization technique?
Fertilization technique depends on the characteristics of the sperm sample and couple’s history.
- FERTILIZATION USING THE CONVENTIONAL METHOD (standard IVF)
This method is indicated when all sperm parameters (concentration, motility, morphology) are within normal range.
In this method, oocytes are cultured together with some hundreds of thousands of spermatozoa overnight. - FERTILIZATION USING THE ICSI METHOD
This is indicated when the values of one or more sperm parameters are lower than the normal levels (oligospermia, asthenospermia, teratospermia, azoospermia).
ICSI is also indicated when there is a history of unexplained infertility.
ICSI is also done when there was no fertilization with the conventional IVF method in a previous IVF cycle.
This is an alternative oocyte fertilization method in which a single sperm is directly injected in the cytoplasm of each oocyte, by using a special fine needle.
Approximately seventeen hours after fertilization, embryologists examine the number of fertilized oocytes.
