Before beginning the PICSI process, couples will have an initial consultation with a fertility specialist. During this consultation, both partners’ medical histories and fertility profiles will be evaluated to determine if PICSI is a suitable option. A range of tests, including hormone evaluations and semen analysis, are conducted to assess sperm quality and identify any underlying fertility issues.

As in other ART treatments, the female partner will undergo ovarian stimulation to encourage the production of multiple eggs. Medications are administered to stimulate the ovaries, and the development of the eggs is carefully monitored through ultrasounds and blood tests. Once the follicles have matured, the eggs are ready for retrieval.

The next step involves retrieving the eggs from the female partner’s ovaries. This is done through a minor surgical procedure, usually performed under sedation or anesthesia. A thin needle is used to collect the eggs from the ovarian follicles, which are then taken to the laboratory for fertilization.

The defining feature of the PICSI procedure is the use of hyaluronic acid to select the best-quality sperm. A special dish containing hyaluronic acid is used, and sperm are placed in this dish. Only mature, healthy sperm will naturally bind to the hyaluronic acid, mimicking the natural selection process that occurs in the female reproductive tract. Sperm that successfully bind are considered to have the best chance of fertilizing the egg and producing healthy embryos.

Once the best sperm have been selected through the PICSI process, they are injected directly into the retrieved eggs, as in the ICSI procedure. Fertilization is monitored in the laboratory, and the developing embryos are observed over the next several days. The embryologists carefully track the progress of the embryos to ensure proper development.

After the embryos have developed to the appropriate stage, typically between 3 to 5 days, one or more embryos are selected for transfer to the woman’s uterus. The selection of embryos is based on their quality and development. The embryo transfer is a simple procedure that does not require sedation and is typically completed in a few minutes.