ICSI - Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection

Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI) is a specialized technique used in fertility treatments to overcome male infertility issues. In this procedure, a single sperm is directly injected into the center of an egg in the laboratory. ICSI is commonly used when conventional methods of fertilization such as in vitro fertilization (IVF) have failed or when male fertility issues are present, such as low sperm count or poor sperm motility.

During an ICSI procedure, the embryologist will use a specialized microscope to select and immobilize a single sperm. The egg is then held in place with a small pipette while the sperm is injected into the egg using a thin needle. Once the sperm has been successfully injected, the fertilized egg is allowed to develop into an embryo in a laboratory dish for several days. The resulting embryo is then transferred to the uterus for implantation, just like in IVF.

While ICSI is a highly effective treatment option for couples experiencing male infertility issues, it does come with some risks. The most common risk associated with ICSI is the potential for genetic abnormalities to be passed on to the child. This is because the sperm selected for injection may have genetic abnormalities that could be inherited. To minimize this risk, preimplantation genetic testing can be performed on the embryo before it is transferred to the uterus. Overall, ICSI is a valuable tool in the field of fertility treatments and has helped many couples conceive who would not have been able to do so otherwise.