PICSI technique
One of the most innovative techniques
PICSI
We always talk about our better half or how to find the ideal partner. In the world of genetics and reproduction there is also something similar. Getting pregnant seems like a simple matter. However, in practice – and couples who have been trying to become parents for years know this – achieving the miracle is not so easy.
Egg and sperm must coincide during a fertile cycle and, in addition, the sperm must fertilise the egg. However, in this process, there are a number of variants that play a leading role and can benefit or even prevent pregnancy. At Clinica IREMA we use a new in vitro fertilisation technique, called PICSI, which offers very good results when nature and other techniques are not helping us to become parents.
What is the PICSI technique?
This is one of the most innovative techniques in the field of in vitro fertilisation. It consists precisely in choosing the best spermatozoa, which are the most suitable and also the most compatible with the egg they are to fertilise. In this way, the chances of success are multiplied. The success lies in the fact that it is common to combine the PICSI technique with MACS selection, which consists of choosing the spermatozoa with the least DNA alterations and non-apoptotic.
The PICSI technique is also known as Physiological Sperm Injection. It consists of selecting the spermatozoa according to their affinity with the granulosa cells, which are the cells that surround the egg. Receptors located in the cell membrane help to ensure that the sperm and egg are similar. With this procedure, the most compatible and strongest sperm are identified and selected.
How the PICSI technique is performed
In this practice, a special gel culture rich in hyaluronic acid is used, into which the sperm will be introduced. When the sperm have adhered to these gel molecules, they can be better identified under the microscope. This culture produces changes in sperm motility. The motility and morphology will be the characteristics that allow us to know which sperm are the most prepared.
This physiological selection is an evolution of the ICSI technique, which is being improved, and the result is leading to a higher success rate in fertilisation treatments.
But PICSI not only favours fertilisation, it also reduces the chances of miscarriage.
In which cases is the PICSI technique applied?
The PICSI technique is indicated for in vitro fertilisation in four situations:
When sperm quality is low
In couples who have suffered repeated miscarriages.
In couples who have been trying to become parents for a long time with unsuccessful IVF cycles.
When the embryos are of poor quality
The reason why this method makes it possible to know which spermatozoa are more suitable is that only mature sperm stick to the hyaluronic acid gel. In addition, the cells surrounding the egg are largely composed of hyaluronic acid.
This novel technique, combined with others, is helping many couples who wish to become parents and, for various medical reasons, have not been able to become pregnant naturally to fulfil their dream. It offers another option for those who are not willing to give up parenthood. Fortunately, assisted reproduction techniques are becoming more and more advanced and new technologies and scientific knowledge make it possible to achieve the miracle of life in most cases.
At the IREMA Clinic we have been applying the PICSI technique with very good results. At the clinic we have excellent professionals who are experts in in vitro fertilisation techniques and the latest technologies.
If you would like more technical information about this technique, click here.
