ICSI

ICSI involves the use of specialized micromanipulation tools to select and pick up individual sperm in a specially designed ICSI needle. The needle is carefully advanced through the outer shell of the egg and the egg membrane and the sperm is injected into the inner part of the egg. This usually results in normal fertilization in about 75-85% of eggs injected with sperm.

ICSI is often recommended for individuals and couples experiencing severe male factor infertility, such as:

• Sperm concentrations of less than 15-20 million per milliliter

• Low sperm motility – less than 35%

• Significantly abnormal sperm morphology (threshold varies)

ICSI is also recommended for patients who have experienced fertilization issues in past IVF cycles or couples who have a low yield of eggs at retrieval. In this scenario, ICSI may help yield a higher percentage of fertilized eggs compared to conventional fertilization (i.e., mixing eggs and sperm). 

1. The mature egg is held with a specialized holding pipette.

2. A very delicate, sharp, and hollow needle is used to immobilize and pick up a single sperm.

3. This needle is then carefully inserted through the zona (shell of the egg) and into the center of the egg.

4. The sperm is injected into the egg and the needle is removed.

5. The eggs are checked the next morning for evidence of fertilization.

ICSI significantly improves fertilization rates, especially for couples dealing with male infertility issues. By directly injecting a single healthy sperm into an egg, ICSI bypasses many barriers to natural fertilization, leading to higher fertilization success. Consequently, this technique also enhances pregnancy rates when used in conjunction with IVF, offering couples a better chance of achieving a successful pregnancy, particularly in cases where traditional IVF methods have been unsuccessful.