Infertility in Light of in vitro Fertilization and Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection: Treatments and Associated Outcomes

Abstract

Over the years, the efficacy of assisted reproductive technologies has significantly improved. Infertility-associated problems like tubal obstruction, severe male-factor infertility, severe endometriosis and ovulatory dysfunction have entailed the need for in vitro fertilization (IVF). Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) is the insertion of a single and viable spermatozoon into the oocyte, thereby circumventing the penetration of the oocyte membranes and aiding gamete fusion process. The use of in vitro fertilization (IVF) and intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) are the most commonly practiced therapeutic measures. However, owing to the report-based outcomes, the success rate is still inconclusive. Besides, there are reports on low pregnancy rates after ICSI, using round spermatids from men, in the absence of elongated spermatids in testes. The use of elongated and round spermatids in ICSI procedures has raised some reasonable doubts regarding the safety of this treatment. In this review, we will give a comprehensive discussion on the role of IVF/ICSI for the treatment of infertility, based on the current researches.