Calcium ionophore is an optional laboratory technique used alongside ICSI to support egg activation and fertilisation. By mimicking the natural release of calcium during fertilisation, it may help improve fertilisation rates in specific cases.
Calcium ionophore is an optional laboratory technique used in specific situations to support fertilisation during IVF treatment. When a sperm meets an egg, a chain of molecular events commences. One of these events is the release of calcium from calcium stores within the egg. This calcium release results in oocyte activation, which allows fertilisation to occur.
Sometimes, eggs fail to release calcium. This can be due to problems within the egg or deficiencies within the sperm. In assisted reproductive treatment, this can result in a low number of eggs fertilising or, in a small number of cases, no eggs may fertilise at all.
Low fertilisation rates with IVF are typically attributed to sperm abnormalities (poor motility or the inability of the sperm to penetrate the egg’s shell/zona pellucida, for example). When low fertilisation rates persist with ICSI insemination, it is thought that oocyte activation deficiencies are responsible. Please click here (Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI) - Oasis Fertility Centre) for more information about the difference between IVF and ICSI.
At Oasis Fertility Centre, we offer the off-label use of calcium ionophore for assisted oocyte activation. Following ICSI insemination the eggs are washed in a solution containing calcium to mimic the normal release of calcium necessary for oocyte activation. This is may improve fertilisation rates in some cases.
Calcium ionophore is recommended only in very specific situations and is used alongside ICSI treatment.:
We understand that additional options like calcium ionophore can feel complex. Our team will take the time to explain your options clearly and help you make informed decisions with confidence.
Calcium ionophore is a laboratory technique used to assist oocyte activation when eggs do not adequately release calcium following ICSI.
Following ICSI, the eggs are placed in a solution containing calcium to mimic the natural calcium release that occurs when a sperm fertilises an egg.
It may be considered for patients who have experienced total fertilisation failure or very low fertilisation rates following ICSI, as well as in certain rare sperm conditions such as globozoospermia.
No. It is recommended only in specific situations and is used alongside ICSI treatment.
Calcium ionophore may improve fertilisation rates in some cases, particularly where oocyte activation is thought to be contributing to low or failed fertilisation.
Although ICSI helps overcome certain sperm-related fertilisation problems, fertilisation can still be unsuccessful when the egg does not activate properly. In these cases, oocyte activation deficiencies may contribute to low or absent fertilisation.
