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Infertility
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Methods
of Overcoming Infertility:
Assisted
Reproductive Technology (ART)
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Inter-Cytoplasmic Sperm Injection
(ICSI)
A special version of in vitro fertilization consists of injecting a single sperm cell into a mature egg. This is known as "inter-cytoplasmic sperm injection", and it has become possible due to greatly refined techniques: The egg is held in place by a very small tube while an extremely thin needle penetrates the egg's outer layer and deposits the sperm inside. Once fertilized, the growing cell cluster is then inserted into the uterus for implantation.
The procedure is used, for example, when the man's sperm count is too low or when his sperm is unable to penetrate the egg by itself.
However, by the same token, there is a risk that the sperm is unhealthy in some way. It may carry mutations or some other genetic abnormality. Moreover, the procedure itself may cause some damage. The risk may be small and for many couples well worth taking, but it should at least be mentioned to them before they make their decision. |
