ICSI with donor eggs
ICSI is a fertility treatment that can help you build your family, particularly when there are male fertility challenges or when using donor eggs. European Egg Bank supports you on your journey by providing carefully screened donor eggs suitable for ICSI treatment.
What is ICSI?
ICSI is a type of IVF treatment in which a single, healthy sperm is injected directly into an egg in the laboratory. The fertilised egg is then monitored as it develops and, after a few days, the embryo is transferred to the uterus. This differs from standard IVF, where the egg is mixed with large numbers of sperm cells, but the sperm still have to reach, penetrate and fertilise the egg without help.
When is ICSI used?
ICSI is typically used to overcome male fertility challenges, such as a low sperm count, poor sperm motility and abnormal sperm morphology. It is also regularly used in cases of unexplained infertility, when standard IVF cycles are unsuccessful, or if using frozen eggs.
How does ICSI work?
ICSI follows the same treatment pathway as standard IVF until the fertilisation stage. It proceeds with the following steps:
Preparation
Egg cells have their outer cells carefully removed in a process called oocyte denudation. This allows the fertility specialist to assess egg maturity and select the right egg for injection. Eggs need to be denuded for ICSI.
Injection
A single, healthy sperm cell is injected directly into the egg’s cytoplasm. This is the gel-like substance surrounding the cell’s nucleus.
Embryo culture
Successfully fertilised eggs are grown in an incubator for three to five days and carefully monitored throughout this time. The fertilised eggs are graded, and those with the best chance of supporting a successful pregnancy are transferred to the uterus.
The ICSI treatment timeline
The ICSI treatment timeline differs depending on treatment specifics. A standard treatment plan with frozen eggs would use the following timeline.
- Days 1 - 14: Uterine preparation
- Day 15: Egg thawing & injection
- Day 15 - 20: Embryo development
- Day 21: Embryo transfer
- Day 35: The two-week test
Why is ICSI commonly used with donor eggs?
ICSI is commonly used with donor eggs because the method increases the chances of a successful pregnancy by removing several barriers. These barriers include:
- Sperm quality concerns – in standard IVF, sperm cells still need to reach and penetrate the egg on their own. Sperm with poor concentration, motility or morphology may not be able to. ICSI overcomes this by injecting sperm directly into the egg.
- Thawing frozen eggs – when donor eggs are frozen for storage and thawed for use in IVF, the thawing process can harden the outer layer of the egg, making it more difficult for sperm to penetrate. ICSI ensures this is not an issue.
Does ICSI improve success rates with donor eggs?
ICSI improves success rates under certain conditions, such as in cases of male-factor infertility and previous IVF failure. ICSI has a similar success rate to standard IVF when the sperm being used meets the minimum criteria according to the WHO.
Is ICSI always required with donor eggs?
No, ICSI is not always required when using donor eggs. Your fertility specialist is likely to recommend ICSI if:
- You are using frozen donor eggs.
- Male-factor fertility challenges are a concern.
- You have undergone several unsuccessful IVF cycles.
Are there risks associated with ICSI?
ICSI is a safe, effective and common fertility treatment that results in a large number of successful pregnancies every year. As with all medical procedures, there are considerations to be aware of.
When you are having treatment with ICSI, you are carefully screened and monitored. This enables fertility specialists to provide tailored advice based on your personal circumstances. Fertility specialists will always be happy to discuss any considerations , ensuring you can make an informed decision about your treatment.
Book a free consultation
If you have questions concerning donor eggs and your fertility treatment options, we recommend booking a free consultation with one of our experts to talk things over.