Which fertilization technique is commonly used in IVF when sperm quality is suboptimal?

• A. Intra-Cytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI) is commonly used when sperm quality is suboptimal.
• B. Natural fertilization in the womb
• C. Egg freezing technique
• D. Ultrasonography for ovulation induction

Answer: (A)

When sperm quality is suboptimal, the fertilization step in IVF is often performed with a technique that directly assists the egg fertilization. This method, intra-cytoplasmic sperm injection, involves selecting a single sperm and injecting it straight into an oocyte. By bypassing the need for the sperm to penetrate and fertilize the egg on its own, ICSI overcomes problems caused by low sperm count, poor motility, or abnormal morphology. It’s particularly useful for male-factor infertility or when previous IVF attempts showed poor fertilization.

The other options aren’t fertilization methods used in IVF: natural fertilization in the womb isn’t part of the IVF process, egg freezing is about preserving eggs for future use, and ultrasonography for ovulation induction is a monitoring/diagnostic tool rather than a fertilization technique.