Intracytoplasmic sperm injection: current status of the technique and outcome

Since the birth of Louise Brown in 19781, in vitro fertilization (IVF) has proved to be an efficient treatment to alleviate female factor infertility (tubal infertility and endometriosis) and unexplained infertility. When IVF was applied in couples with male infertility, it became apparent for all groups that the results were much less efficient. The normal fertilization rate of inseminated oocytes was significantly lower, resulting in the formation of many fewer embryos, which meant that embryos were not available for transfer in a substantial number of cycles2.