Intra Cytoplasmic Sperm Injection ICSI

What is ICSI?

Intra-Cytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI) is a modification of in vitro fertilization (“Test-tube baby”). ICSI has revolutionized the treatment of male infertility. A single sperm is injected into an egg with the help of a micromanipulator instrument, and once fertilized, embryos are placed into the uterus. The mature egg is held with a specialized holding pipette.

How is ICSI done?

A very delicate, sharp, and hollow needle is used to immobilize and pick up a single sperm. This needle is then carefully inserted through the zona (shell of the egg)  into the cytoplasm of the egg and the needle is carefully removed. The eggs are checked the next morning for evidence of normal fertilization.

Who are the couples that require ICSI?

Couples who have had poor or no fertilization during standard IVF, as well as men who have:

• Very low sperm count or zero count
• Sperm with little or no motility
• Many sperm with abnormal shapes
• In Azoospermia, where sperm retrieval is done by surgical techniques like PESA, TESA, MESA
• Patients of retrograde ejaculation or anejaculation (where electro-ejaculation and IUI have failed to give a pregnancy)

ICSI benefits women who have:

• Previous fertilization failure
• Advanced age
• Immunological complications
• Unexplained infertility