Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI)

Intracytoplasmic sperm injection or ICSI, used in conjunction with IVF, has revolutionized the treatment of severe male factor infertility.

This procedure involves injection of a single sperm through the outer shell (zona pellucida) and into the egg.

ICSI may be required when the male has very low numbers of motile (moving) and/or abnormally shaped sperm, or where there are problems with the sperm penetrating the egg. ICSI also can be effective when there are anti-sperm antibodies in the semen, (products of the immune system which may otherwise attack and destroy sperm before it can reach the egg), or when previous attempts at fertilization with standard culture systems and fertilization methods were not successful.

Finally, ICSI may be used when an infertility cycle relies on a limited number of sperm, including frozen sperm collected prior to cancer treatment, or those obtained from the male’s tissue using microsurgical techniques. Semen analysis and prior history will help us determine whether ICSI is likely to be required as part of your fertility treatment.