Question

The method of directly injecting a sperm into ovum in assisted reproductive technology is called:

• A. Embryo transfer (ET)
• B. Gamete intra fallopian transfer (GIFT)
• C. Zygote intra fallopian transfer (ZIFT)
• D. Intra cytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI)

Hint:

• Keep the medical terminology literal: "Intra cytoplasmic" means inside the cytoplasm, and "sperm injection" refers to the direct delivery system.

• ICSI is particularly useful in cases of male-factor infertility, such as oligospermia (low sperm count) or asthenozoospermia (poor sperm motility).

Answer 1

The Correct Option is D

Concept:

• Assisted Reproductive Technologies (ART) represent a range of specialized medical procedures utilized to address infertility challenges.

• Key techniques include: itemize

• Embryo Transfer (ET): The process of transferring lab-grown embryos directly into the uterus.

• Gamete Intra Fallopian Transfer (GIFT): The collection of both eggs and sperm, which are then placed directly into the fallopian tubes to allow natural fertilization.

• Zygote Intra Fallopian Transfer (ZIFT): In-vitro fertilization followed by the transfer of the resulting zygote (at the stage of up to 8 blastomeres) into the fallopian tube.

• Intra Cytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI): A specialized in-vitro fertilization procedure where a single viable sperm is micro-injected directly into the cytoplasm of an egg.
itemize

Step 1: Identify the key mechanism described in the question
The question highlights a highly specific mechanism: "directly injecting a sperm into ovum." This requires a physical puncture of the oocyte's outer membrane (zona pellucida and oolemma) to deliver the sperm head directly into the cytoplasm.

Step 2: Evaluate the options against the key mechanism

• ET (Embryo Transfer): This is a general stage where multicellular embryos (not individual gametes like sperm and ovum) are placed in the uterine cavity.

• GIFT: Unfertilized gametes are transferred together into the fallopian tube. Fertilization occurs naturally inside the body rather than via micro-injection.

• ZIFT: An already-formed zygote is transferred into the fallopian tube, meaning fertilization has already occurred prior to this transfer step.

• ICSI: This laboratory technique specifically involves selecting a single sperm and injecting it directly into the inner fluid (cytoplasm) of the mature egg.

Step 3: Formulate the final conclusion
By comparing the technical definitions, the process of direct micro-injection of sperm into the cytoplasm of the egg aligns with the definition of Intra Cytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI).