Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI)
Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI) is a specialised form of In Vitro Fertlisation (IVF) that involves the injection of a single sperm directly into a mature egg. Frozen donor eggs require ICSI insemination procedure due to the vitrification processes involved in egg freezing. ICSI is also used for the treatment of severe cases of male infertility.
Thanks to our partnership with City Fertility, at Eeve Donor Bank we use a medium named Sperm Slow™ during sperm selection. This medium contains hyaluronan (HA), which binds sperm that are more likely to have normal DNA, and thus allows selection of these bound sperm for injection. By selecting the sperm that are bound to HA and using them for ICSI, the embryologists are preferentially using the better-quality, more mature sperm. Please note that, while this technique using HA is standard practice, it may not be suitable in every case depending on individual circumstances
Who is ICSI-IVF recommended for?
ICSI-IVF is recommended for couples or individuals using frozen eggs in their treatment. It is also recommended for those who have had poor or no fertilisation during standard IVF, as well as men who have:
- Poor sperm morphology (abnormally shaped sperm).
- Poor sperm motility (slow moving).
- A low sperm count.
- An obstruction such as a vasectomy, which prevents sperm release.
- Antisperm antibodies (antibodies that are produced by the man’s body and may inhibit sperm function).
- A vasectomy reversal that was unsuccessful or resulted in a low sperm count or poor-quality sperm.
Keep in mind
- As Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI) is more invasive and requires more handling than standard IVF insemination techniques, there is a small chance (less than 2%) that the egg may be damaged during the procedure – resulting in a non-viable egg.
- Some men have an acquired cause of their sperm problem that we know will not be hereditary (such as a vasectomy or spinal cord injury). However, other men have sperm problems that may have been present since birth. These may be passed on to the male children due to a small chromosomal rearrangement or a deletion of a small portion of the Y chromosome.
- Men with very low sperm counts or an obstruction in their sperm ducts (vas or epididymis) may carry one of the cystic fibrosis (CF) genes. In this situation, the child may inherit the CF gene and if the female partner also carries one of these genes, there is a chance of producing a child who actually has CF. Eeve donor bank requires extended carrier screening or genetic counselling for all couples/individuals who are contributing genetic material (i.e eggs or sperm) to create embryos to minimise the risk of transmitting an a heritable disease to the offspring. It is important to note that blood tests can screen one or both partners for many (but not all) problems, including chromosomal rearrangements and CF carrier status. Genetic testing (amniocentesis or chorionic villus sampling) is also available during the pregnancy to look for many of these abnormalities.
Things to consider
- Egg availability is subject to demand. Number of eggs available from an individual donor cycle, number of reservations for a particular donor and donor withdrawal from the program can all effect donor egg availability.
- Overseas donors are unavailable in Victoria due to state regulations. If you are based in Victoria and are interested in reserving an overseas donor egg, please contact our friendly staff to know what your options are.
- Patients who are not local to our QLD, NSW, or WA clinics but wanting to access donor eggs in these locations, please contact us for more information on what your options are.
- Embryos created with Eeve Donor Bank that need to be exported to another facility will incur a service charge.
- Repeat patients may re-order the same donor at any time, pending availability.
- Local donated eggs. Eeve operates an active Egg Donor Program with Egg Donors Australia and City Fertility, to provide individuals or couples who do not produce eggs, or cannot use the eggs they produce, with the opportunity to build a family. Egg Donors Australia recruits local Australian egg donors aged between 18-32 years of age. Donors are altruistic, counselled, screened for medical and genetic conditions and comply with Australian Federal and State legislation. To read more things you should consider when choosing a donor from Egg Donors Australia, click here.
- Overseas donated eggs from The World Egg Bank. Eeve has a partnership with The World Egg and Sperm Bank (TWESB) to provide fresh and frozen eggs for recipients. TWESB donors on Eeve are 18-32 years of age, altruistic, counselled, fully screened and compliant with relevant Australian Federal and State legislation. To read more about things to consider when choosing a donor from The World Egg and Sperm Bank, click here.
- Overseas donated eggs from Genesis International. Eeve has partnered with Genesis International Egg and Sperm Centre, a specialist in providing donor eggs with Asian ancestry, to provide fresh* eggs for recipients. Genesis International donors on Eeve are 18-32 years of age, altruistic, counselled, fully screened and compliant with relevant Australian Federal and State legislation, To read more about things to consider when choosing a donor from Genesis International, click here. *Eggs can be frozen and transported to Australia.
- Overseas donated eggs from Manor Medical. EEVE has partnered with Manor Medical to provide Ukraine and Georgian Frozen donor eggs for recipients. Manor Medical’s donors on EEVE are 18-32 years of age, altruistic, counselled, fully screened and compliant with relevant Australian Federal and State legislation. To read more about things to consider when choosing a donor from Manor Medical, click here.
Got questions?
Our team will be with you every step of the way to provide you with further information. Simply get in touch by calling 1300 003 383 or emailing us at contact@eevedonorbank.com.au.
