Possible negative effects of ICSI on further development of oocytes

Abstract

Intracytoplasmic injection is a rather invasive method and the question rises whether this manipulation has a significant influence on further fate of the oocyte or embryo. Two possible problems may occur, i. mechanical stress which, if the oocyte does not degenerate at all, may cause irreversible harm of the cytoskeleton and metaphase II spindle and ii. usage of an affected sperm (defective centriole, strand breaks, aneuploidy). A possible correlation between ICSI and an increase in malformation rate is discussed controversially.