Case Study 2
Blocked tubes, poor responder, IVF-ICSI

Mr A and Mrs A tried for a child immediately after their marriage but was unsuccessful after 6 months. Mr A, who is 13 years older than Mrs A (34 years old), is anxious for a son to inherit his business. He sought help from TFC and investigations showed that his wife’s fallopian tubes were blocked. His sperm count, motility and morphology (shape of sperm) were low. IVF (in-vitro fertilization) with ICSI (Intracytoplasmic sperm injection) were recommended.

During the IVF cycle, Mrs A’s ovaries responded poorly to stimulation. After 7 days of high dosage of FSH (follicle stimulating hormone, 600 I.U.) and two days of GnRH agonist to boost the FSH dosage, only 2 follicles grew. The dosage was subsequently increased to 900 I.U. for the next 4 days but only one small additional follicle was observed.

3 eggs were obtained during an egg collection procedure of which 2 were mature. ICSI was performed but only one egg was fertilized. It developed into a 4-cell, grade 1-2 embryo on day 2 and was transferred into Mrs A’s womb. Mrs A delivered a healthy baby girl 38 weeks later.