Print Magazine
Brussels Morning Newspaper
Sunday, February 5, 2023
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
    • About Us
  • EU institutions
    • Commission
    • Parliament
    • Council
  • Europe
  • World
  • Economy
  • Culture and Society
  • In Depth
    • Ambassador’s Corner
    • The American Angle
    • Sustainable Perspective
    • Europe With Transparency
    • Place de la Bourse
    • The Macro-Economist
    • Southeast Europe
Brussels Morning Newspaper
  • Home
    • About Us
  • EU institutions
    • Commission
    • Parliament
    • Council
  • Europe
  • World
  • Economy
  • Culture and Society
  • In Depth
    • Ambassador’s Corner
    • The American Angle
    • Sustainable Perspective
    • Europe With Transparency
    • Place de la Bourse
    • The Macro-Economist
    • Southeast Europe
Brussels Morning Newspaper
No Result
View All Result
Home Features

Thirty years ago, the very first ICSI baby was born in UZ Brussel

Helen Critchley by Helen Critchley
31 January 2022
in Features
Thirty years ago, the very first ICSI baby was born in UZ Brussel
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Belgium, (Brussels Morning Newspaper) In ICSI or intracytoplasmic sperm injection, a sperm cell is injected directly into an egg under the microscope. The technique was developed at UZ Brussel under the supervision of Prof. Dr. André Van Steirteghem. The first ICSI baby was born in 1992, fourteen years after the first IVF baby.

The ICSI technique differs from IVF in that an egg can be fertilized using just one sperm cell, while IVF requires thousands of good-quality sperm cells. That was a real breakthrough thirty years ago, because it created a solution for men who were struggling with fertility problems due to insufficient sperm cells. Even in men who have no sperm in their ejaculate, some sperm can be removed from the testes via a biopsy.

By accident

The new method was discovered by accident, says pioneer Prof. Dr. Van Steirteghem. “The technique already existed: inserting a sperm cell into an egg cell. Only the sperm cell was not introduced into the cytoplasm and that was not possible with the needles used at the time. We designed a needle that was very fine and precise, so that the egg cell was barely damaged and hoped that fertilization could occur more quickly. A sperm cell was accidentally introduced into the cytoplasm, resulting in successful fertilization.”

ICSI has meanwhile become dominant on its predecessor. Of all 61,700 children born in Flanders in 2020, 5.1 percent were conceived in vitro. In the Belgian IVF centers about 80 percent is done with ICSI. Worldwide, approximately 30 percent IVF and 70 percent ICSI are used in fertility treatments. In total, more than six million ICSI children have been born.

No impact on health

Children born after ICSI or another medically assisted reproductive technology at UZ Brussel are further monitored. “Years of research indicate that assisted reproduction has no impact on their general health. Studies of the fertility of boys born after ICSI due to reduced semen formation in their fathers also reassure that their fertility does not appear to be compromised,” it said.

In the meantime, UZ Brussel continues to work on research into new techniques, because there are still a large number of people whose wish to have children is not fulfilled. “This is in our DNA. More than 250 people participate directly or indirectly in research in the field of (in)fertility, genetics, implantation, eggs and sperm production in the clinical research at UZ Brussel and laboratory research via the research groups of the VUB.”

Source: BRUZZ

Tags: ICSIMedical HistoryUC Brussel
Facebook Twitter Youtube LinkedIn

About Us

Brussels Morning is a daily online newspaper based in Belgium. BM publishes unique and independent coverage on international and European affairs. With a Europe-wide perspective, BM covers policies and politics of the EU, significant Member State developments, and looks at the international agenda with a European perspective.

Category

  • Ambassador’s Corner
  • Belgium News
  • Brussels
  • Commission
  • Council
  • Culture and Society
  • Diplomacy
  • Economy
  • EU Institutions
  • Europe
  • Europe With Transparency
  • Features
  • Health & Fitness
  • In Depth
  • Member States
  • Middle East Eye
  • Opinion
  • Our pick
  • Parliament
  • Place de la Bourse
  • Southeast Europe
  • Sustainable Perspective
  • The American Angle
  • The Macro-Economist
  • Uncategorised
  • US Elections
  • World

More info

  • About Us
  • Advertising
  • Cookies Policy
  • Contact Us
  • FAQ
  • Jobs

Brussels Morning Newspaper - All Rights Reserved © 2020

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • About Us
  • Brussels Bubble
    • Parliament
    • Commission
    • Council
  • Wider Europe
    • Member States
  • World
  • Business & Society
  • Europe With Transparency
  • Culture & Society
  • Policy Talks
    • Place de la Bourse
    • The Macro-Economist
    • Sustainable Perspective
    • Ambassador’s Corner
    • The American Angle
    • Southeast Europe
  • Print Magazine

Brussels Morning Newspaper - All Rights Reserved © 2020

We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies.
Cookie settingsACCEPT
Privacy & Cookies Policy

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
Non-necessary
Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
SAVE & ACCEPT