ICSI

[babygirl]

My husband has low sperm concentration (10 million per ml) but high volume so it gives him a good total sperm count number (60 million). Should we do ICSI with IVF?? we pay out of pocket so it would be nice if we could get away w/ not doing ICSI. what are ICSI requirements??

[Lauren]

Hello, I dont know everything but I think ICSI is not just based on "count" my DH has low everything motility ,morphology, count etc..so it was a no brainer for us! Have you spoke to your clinic about it? I would ask the doctors what they think is your "best" option and go from there but ICSI is used in many clinics for the sperm who cant penatrate the egg. like motility issues or severe male factor. I think some clinics use it when there has been a previous low fertilization rate or when there is a low amount of eggs retrieved ...so really it varies and its up to you and your doctor! Hope that helped somewhat.

[Lauren]

I shouldve also said it can be based on just "count" I think as long as its a REALLY LOW count..make sense? Sorry if I confused you

[riogirl71]

See what the RE says but think about all the cost and meds you are doing to get those eggs, last thing you want is to save $$$ but not have them fertilize, I see it as insurance that my eggs will be fertilized after all I went through!!!

[BichonMom]

I think its count and motility for ICSI. My DH has bad everything as well so we were lucky to have ICSI. But I think the RE told us if the sperm aren't able to swim to get into the egg they need to help them penetrate the egg as well, but I'm definitely no expert. Talk to your RE but so some research online for the reasons for ICSI, I'm sure you can find some good information. BTW...if its just count and everything else looks good, try having him take some feritily vitamins maybe that is all your need, but I think 60 million is really good. My DH only had 1 million. GL!!!

[leorira11]

We also do ICSI. My husband's only problem is count (millions? bah! we are lucky if we have a few hundred...)
Our insurance covers it, so we never considered not doing it....

BUT - I have heard that there is a test they can do, to see if the sperm penetrating the egg is a problem or not. I don't remember more than that, but maybe you can look into it.
I've also heard of "emergency" or "rescue" ICSI, when they leave it to fertilize naturally (well, as natural as you get in a petri dish!) but if there is a problem they can later do ICSI to try to save the cycle.

I hope that helps! Best of luck!

[babygirl]

thanks for responding. . .

does anyone know the numbers (sperm concentration, count) that usually require ICSI??