ICSI Archives - Pregnancy & IVF Clinics Worldwide

A question that couples very often ask when starting an assisted reproduction program is related to the two most common techniques used to achieve egg fertilization and the coveted pregnancy.

Confirmation of the best technique given through this study based on the highest rates of blastocysts per egg used for the procedure.

In this retrospective study, 62 ICSI/IVF cycles were analyzed with the eggs divided for each technique. Eggs from these cycles were used randomly in ICSI or the classical IVF procedure. Two hundred and thirty-four ICSI cycles and 152 cycles of classical IVF were further analyzed for comparison.

This method of analysis using sibling oocyte split (half oocytes for IVF and other half for ICSI from the same stimulation cycle) showed quite interesting results. In particular, when comparing and calculating the two pronucleus (2PN) in the oocytes between the classical IVF group and the group of ICSI, the quality of blastocysts was clearly higher in the first case (IVF) with a statistically significant degree (p < 0.05).

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Current research suggests that specific compounds, called adherence compounds, when added into embryo transfer culture media boost IVF success rates.

Hyaluronic acid (HA), an adherence compound, can boost IVF success rates

Assisted reproductive technologies are generally considered to be successful medical procedures, but not successful enough. Couples diagnosed with infertility are commonly given an IVF (in vitro fertilisation) or ICSI (intracytoplasmisc injection) treatment. These treatments are the most successful forms of infertility treatments in IVF clinics and have similar success rates, however not successful enough given the increased demand for test-tube babies.

A great body of research is focused on studying how to boost IVF success rates while minimizing any adverse effects like multiple pregnancies. Part of this research has studied the effects of the addition of adherence compounds into the embryo transfer culture media.

Currently a scientific review analyzing 16 randomized studies on the above objective has reported that hyaluronic acid (HA), an adherence compound, can boost IVF success rates. Researchers compared embryo transfer media with different concentrations of the hyaluronic acid including high, low and no HA. As for the outcome most studies conducted their research by measuring live birth rates, pregnancy chances, implantation rates and multiple pregnancy rates. The women that took part in the studies aged 27.5-35.7 in average.

According to the review results hyaluronic acid increased IVF success rates in terms of live birth and pregnancy chances when added in the culture medium used for embryo transfer (450 vs 367). Fertility experts think that adherent compounds may actually increase the embryo potential for adhering to the uterus.

On the other hand, it was also found that the addition of the adherent compound increased chances of multiple pregnancies. Researchers argue that this result is probably linked to the number of embryos transferred by fertility doctors which quite often exceeds the 2 embryos. Thus, in such cases where more than one embryo is transferred into the womb, an adherent compound by promoting successful implantation could increase risk of a multiple pregnancy. Complementary studies investigating the outcome of using these enhanced transfer media for only single embryo transfer are necessary for optimizing these compounds’ contribution to a successful IVF outcome.

Tag: ICSI

Is intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) better as a technique than traditional IVF?

Embryo transfer media compounds boost IVF success rates

Would you risk a multiple pregnancy if it was to boost your pregnancy chances? We would be happy to receive your feedback.