40 per cent increase in use of ICSI

Figures published last week show that there has been a 40 per cent increase in the use of intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) over just one year. The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority's (HFEA) annual report reveals that 9,295 ICSI cycles were carried out in 1997-98 compared to 6,652 in the previous year. During the same period, use of donor insemination fell by 11 per cent.

Used to treat male infertility, ICSI involves the injection of a sperm cell directly into an egg before transfer to the womb. Use of ICSI has grown rapidly since 1991 when only 80 treatment cycles took place. By 1995 when the number had exceeded 1,500 the HFEA introduced checks on the competency of doctors as 'success is largely dependent on the skills and experience of its practitioners.' Ruth Deech, chairman of the HFEA said: 'ICSI has enabled men who in the past would not have been able to have children of their own, to do so.' 'The HFEA continues to inspect licensed clinics offering this treatment to ensure that patients receive the highest standard of care and medical expertise,' she added.

The HFEA's annual report also showed that in the year to March 1998, a total of 26,685 IVF (in vitro fertilisation) treatment cycles were carried out, resulting in 6,864 pregnancies and 5,687 babies born - a live birth rate of 16.4 per cent. All fertility treatments resulted in the births of 7,397 babies in the year under review.