Families with fertility related problems should remember that like any other operation certain micromanipulation benefits and risks exist.

Micromanipulation considerably improves the chances for successful fertilization and helps couples with poor semen quality. Its benefits are crucial for many couples both with male and non-male factors that deal with infertility. First, micromanipulation was performed in order to treat male factor infertility. It helps couples with poor sperm quality, very poor sperm motility, or very abnormal morphology. The development of this field allows us now to use motile sperm under the condition that it is alive.

If comparing micromanipulation benefits and risks, micromanipulation benefits include the possibility of retrieving sperm from any level of the male reproductive tract. It is possible to the achievements of modern medical techniques. It means that men that have no sperm in their ejaculated semen or have sperm that doesn't survive until the moment of ejaculation still have a chance to have a biological child. In the first case, the absence of sperm is caused by an obstruction in the tract or by sperm production problems. In the second case, biopsy methods are use to retrieve freshly produced and viable sperm.

Today, it also can be said that the use of ICSI in those situations when conventional IVF may not occur also belongs on the list of micromanipulation benefits. Such clinical cases are the following: hyper-responsive ovarian stimulation cases, unexplained infertility, post-thaw eggs insemination, and situations when clean embryos from contaminated sperm are needed. Her we can also talk about those cases where there is an extreme need for normal fertilization, for example, when a woman produces several eggs only. Patients who have undergone unsuccessful IVF procedures can also become candidates for ICSI.

Concerning the risks of micromanipulation, it must be said that in certain cases there is a risk of eggs damaging because of this they don't survive during this process. The success of the operation depends fully on a professional level of skill of the surgeon. Another micromanipulation risk lies in the genetic field. The fact is that children born through micromanipulation surgeries may inherit certain generic problems. That's why couples who manage to conceive babies through these procedures are advised to undergo genetic screening. Also, we should not forget that these procedures are still new for medical science and as a result we have no chance to learn the long term effects. However, preliminary results of this testing don't make us think of suggesting that there would be any increase in abnormalities.

Certain ethical problems can also be considered to be a micromanipulation risk. Not all religions have a good attitude about these experiments and manipulations with people's cells and genetic information. Therefore, before making such a decision, a couple should consider seriously the micromanipulation benefits and risks. At the same time, specialists must also weigh all micromanipulation benefits and risks judging from their professional risks.

Much has been done recently to maximize pregnancy rates; however, there is much room for improvement. Scientists should try to reach the stage where only one embryo can be successfully transferred. When they manage to get to this point, all surplus embryos of perfect quality can be frozen and used later.

For more information about micromanipulation benefits and risks, you should call or visit your doctor.