IVF | ICSI | P-ICSI with own or donor sperm
IVF – In vitro fertilization
In vitro fertilization (IVF) is a method of artificial insemination in which fertilization of an egg cell takes place outside the body – i.e., “in a test tube” (Latin in vitro).
The method was developed in the 1960s and 1970s by Robert Edwards and Patrick Steptoe. Louise Joy Brown, the first baby conceived using IVF, was born on July 25, 1978, in Oldham, England.
In IVF, the sperm fertilize the eggs “independently” in a culture dish without direct assistance. This requires the man to have good sperm quality.
IVF treatment may be useful in the following cases, among others:
- Blocked or non-functioning fallopian tubes in the woman
- Endometriosis
- PCOS
- Unexplained infertility
- Advanced maternal age
IVF treatment procedure
Hormonal stimulation of the ovaries
IVF treatment begins with hormonal stimulation of the woman's ovaries. During this phase, one or two ultrasound examinations are performed at KIWI or by a gynecologist to determine the number and size of the follicles.
Triggering ovulation and follicular puncture
During the second ultrasound, the time of ovulation and the date for follicular puncture (egg retrieval) are determined.
The puncture is performed transvaginally under ultrasound guidance. The patient receives a short sedoanalgesia—a combination of sedatives and painkillers that is sufficient for short procedures without general anesthesia.
Sperm collection
At the same time as the puncture, the partner submits his sperm sample to us at KIWI. If there are any problems, the sample can also be collected externally and brought to the institute promptly – however, this must be discussed with the doctors before the start of treatment.
Fertilization and embryo development
The sperm sample is specially prepared in the laboratory and combined with the eggs a few hours after egg retrieval. The embryos are monitored and assessed by our experienced embryologists during the 5-day laboratory phase.
Embryo transfer and cryopreservation
Five days after egg retrieval, the embryo transfer and/or cryopreservation of the developing blastocysts takes place.The embryo transfer is performed under ultrasound guidance using a thin catheter through the vagina and cervix – without anesthesia.
The first pregnancy test can be performed 14 days after the embryo transfer.
ICSI
ICSI (intracytoplasmic sperm injection) was developed in the early 1990s. In this procedure, a single sperm cell is injected directly into an egg cell under a microscope.
The ICSI method is used when fertilization through IVF is difficult, for example in cases of:
- Very low sperm count, poor motility, or abnormal sperm shape
- Previous failed IVF attempts
- Antibodies against sperm
- Thickened egg shell or egg cell cumulus layer
Even in cases where there is a complete absence of sperm in the ejaculate, a testicular biopsy (TESE) can sometimes be performed to obtain sperm for ICSI.
P-ICSI
P-ICSI (physiological intracytoplasmic sperm injection) is an advanced, non-invasive method of sperm selection during ICSI.
Only fully mature sperm with hyaluronic acid receptors are selected.
Studies have shown that this can improve embryo quality and reduce the risk of miscarriage.