No fertilisation ICSI

[Fumy]

Hi everyone, I need advice please. We’ve just found out that our second round of ICSI also resulted in no fertilisation. We are devastated.

We bought a package so we have one more chance but I want to take a break as at the moment I feel like I cannot do this again. In the meantime we would like to do any further tests that might increase our chances. I have very low AMH but I steadily produce 1-3 follicles and mature eggs each month even without stims. My partner’s morphology is low, this time it was 3%. All other indicators are fine. We live a healthy life and have been trying for ages which resulted in one natural pregnancy and miscarriage, and two rounds of ICSI with no fertilisation.

Can you please advice us on what tests might be worthwhile doing for us? I read here about the DNA fragmentation test. Can you recommend (in DM) good clinics to do this at? Our clinic and before that the NHS haven’t even mentioned this. I am so upset that they don’t encourage us to explore all possible causes behind our issues.

Thank you so much for you time and support.

[Dinfertilitylady]

Hi Fumy, so sorry to hear you have had no fertilisation happen twice in a row 😢 Personally I would recommend going to a Urologist at this point as there most likely is a sperm issue. I recommend Jonathan Ramsay if you can manage it (he is expensive I’m afraid) I would suggest you’ll need around £1500 in total for a consultation & all the tests he may want to do.

My husband has had the sperm DNA frag test done & it showed high levels even though his standard sperm analysis was normal. The problem is without going to a urologist there’s not much we can do with this info apart from keep trying ICSI. Wishing you luck on your journey

[Fumy in reply to Dinfertilitylady]

Thanks so much for your reply and advice, Dinfertilitylady. We will definitely see a urologist as we are keen to explore all possibilities. Did he offer treatments in your case? And how long did it take you to get an appointment?

[Dinfertilitylady in reply to Fumy]

I must admit we haven’t actually seen a urologist yet, we opted to just try 2 more rounds then take it from there, as my husbands DNA frag does not affect our fertilisation too badly. However I do know quite a few who have been helped by Jonathan Ramsay. He can do all manner of testing & treatments. I think he’s usually booked up a couple of months in advance.

[SRA8]

Looking Ghent Belgium and zero fertilisation. They do a test called mouse oocyte activation. Some places in the UK offer artificial oocyte activation for zero to low fertilisation although it is a bit different to how it is done in Ghent.

[Fumy]

Dear SRA8,

Thanks so much for your suggestion. I will research oocyte activation.

[JA-fnuk Partner Nurse Fertility Network UK]

Will find info about oocyte activation on hfea.gov.uk Treatment add-ons

Take care

Janet

[Fumy in reply to JA-fnuk]

Thank you, Janet. I appreciate your help.

[honeybeanbee]

We've just had a sperm DNA fragmentation test at the CRP clinic crpclinic.co.uk/ (it is quite expensive). They are really nice there and offer lots of other tests for you and/or your partner. Very thorough. Hope that helps x

[Fumy in reply to honeybeanbee]

Thank you, Honeybeanbee!