For the creation of a competent embryo two ‘partners’ are needed: a mature oocyte and a ‘good/healthy’ spermatozoon. In the area of assisted reproduction, when we decide to do the classical in vitro fertilization we leave nature to choose the spermatozoa that will fertilize the available oocytes; on the contrary when we decide to do ICSI (in cases with male factor infertility) we have to choose the spermatozoa that we enter into the oocytes. Therefore there is a kind of subjective selection, which is not adequately feasible due to the microscopic size of the spermatozoa. For the improvement of this selection a new innovative technique has been developed; now we are proud to offer this technique to selected couples attending the EMBRYO ART Unit.

The innovative technique is called IMSI (Intracytoplasmic Morphologically Selected sperm Injection) and it implies a powerful microscopy system which allows for the morphologic selection of the ‘good’ spermatozoon with strict criteria; morphology is associated with genetic quality of the spermatozoon and consequently with the creation of a good embryo.

Studies comparing the IMSI and ICSI techniques indicate that IMSI does not improve fertilization rates or the morphologic quality of the embryos, but increases the pregnancy rates and reduces the miscarriage rates.

Couples with indication for IMSI are these with sperm demonstrating high degree of DNA fragmentation and/or increased abnormal spermatozoa (teratozoospermia), conditions which often accompany oligoasthenospermia.

Additionally, IMSI may be beneficial for couples experiencing recurrent IVF failures and/or recurrent biochemical pregnancies/miscarriages.

The promising results of IMSI lead us to adopt the technique in EMBRYO ART unit in order to strengthen our goal which is to help our couples to have healthy children.