ICSI & IVF

The procedures involved in IVF treatments (egg extraction / embryo implantation) are performed by Dr. Barak at Assuta Hospital in Rishon Le’zion.

Standard IVF is a therapy which has particularly high success rates if there are no fertilization or sperm problems (low sperm count, low sperm mobility, abnormal morphology or any combination thereof).

IVF-ICSI is the treatment of choice in cases where there is a problem with the quality of the sperm (concentration, mobility, morphology).

In the ICSI technique, a single sperm cell is injected into the egg cytoplasm using a fine glass needle under the guidance of a special microscope.

The ICSI has proven to be most efficient as long as a live sperm cell is found for injection. The fertilization success rates are similar to those achieved by a standard IVF.

The successful pregnancy rates following IVF and IVF-ICSI treatment is primarily dependent on the following factors:

• The woman’s age
• Age of embryo (3 day embryo, blastocyst)
• Embryo quality
• Number of embryos reimplanted into the uterus
• Sperm quality
• Whether preimplantation genetic screening was performed (PGS)
• Receptiveness of the Endometrium (uterus lining)

ICSI – Treatment of choice in cases of a severe sperm disorder

Using the ICSI technique today makes it possible to successfully treat couples when the man has an especially low sperm count.

Sometimes it is impossible to find sperm in a “normal” search, and an “in-depth search under magnification” must be performed.

In cases where no sperm was found in the “in-depth search” either, it is possible to perform a Testicular Biopsy using various methods (needle biopsy, open biopsy, micro surgical biopsy [micro-TESE]). The type of biopsy will be determined according to the nature of the case upon consultation with Dr. Barak.