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What is IMSI?

Intracytoplasmic morphologically selected sperm injection (IMSI), also called “Super ICSI”, is an in vitro fertilization technique that aims to select the best sperm to increase the chances of successful implantation. It requires local anesthesia with sedation in the ovarian puncture procedure.

Why is IMSI performed?

IMSI is indicated in the following specific cases:

• numerous failed transfer attempts
• patients with severe teratozoospermia (high number of spermatozoa with abnormal or strange shapes in the semen)
• patients with high sperm DNA fragmentation
• long-term sterility of unknown origin

What happens during IMSI?

This technique consists of previously selecting the sperm through a microscope of approximately 6,000 times, 15 times more powerful than the microscope used in ICSI. Thanks to this microscope, sperm with abnormalities are discarded based on the morphology they present.

Sperm without abnormalities are implanted one by one in each embryo via intracytoplasmic injection. Finally, between one and three embryos are selected for transfer, which consists in introducing a thin catheter into the end of the uterus.

Preparing for IMSI

As in any other in vitro fertilization technique, it is important to consider three points before treatment:

• Nutrition: it is important to take folic acid and vitamin B, since they increase the chances of pregnancy. Therefore, it is recommended to eat fresh fruit and vegetables, legumes, whole grains, dairy products and meat, and avoid fast food, foods with a high content of trans fats and sugars and low in vitamins and minerals.
• Exercise: it’s important to keep exercising, but not to overexert yourself during this period
• Sleep: make sure you get eight hours of sleep a day and that you go to bed and get up at regular times

Aftercare

Once the embryo transfer has been made, it is important to avoid strenuous physical activity. Progesterone should also be administered orally or with injections for 8-10 weeks after the transfer.

After 12-14 days from the transfer, the woman returns to the specialist for a pregnancy test. It is important to visit the specialist if there are symptoms such as pelvic pain, fever over 38ºC, blood in the urine or vaginal bleeding.