What is PICSI (Sperm Slow)?
With traditional ICSI, sperm selection is performed by the embryologist who observes the semen sample and chooses spermatozoids with good motility. With physiological ICSI, or PICSI, the aim is to find a system which is less subjective in terms of sperm selection.
Sperm selection using HA before carrying out ICSI helps to optimise the results of assisted reproduction treatment.
When is PICSI (Sperm Slow) indicated?
PICSI is very useful in patients with high sperm DNA fragmentation but good sperm motility, as the technique helps to select the best quality mature spermatozoids.
These spermatozoids are individually selected and have low fragmentation rates, thus reducing the likelihood of chromosome abnormalities.
Keeping in mind that this is an experimental technique under investigation, it is difficult to determine which patients it is indicated for. But, generally speaking, it is presently indicated in the following cases:
- Patients with high levels of sperm DNA fragmentation.
- Previous IVF-ICSI failure, with poor embryo quality.
- Unexplained infertility.
- Couples with recurrent miscarriages likely due to male factor infertility.
- Patients with abnormal FISH on sperm.
- Patients with implantation failure.
PICSI Procedure (Sperm Slow)
The sperm sample for PICSI is collected as normal. After sperm capacitation, the spermatozoids are placed on a special slide.
This slide contains drops of a synthetic material which closely resembles the hyaluronic acid that naturally surrounds oocytes. Good quality spermatozoids will bind to these drops, so the embryologist will be able to easily identify them. Once the spermatozoid has been selected it is aspirated with the microinjection pipette and ICSI is carried out as normal.