ICSI (intracytoplasmic sperm injection) is a form of IVF in which a single sperm is injected directly into each egg. IMSI uses much higher magnification to choose the best-shaped sperm before injection.
How ICSI works
The egg is first cleaned of the cells that surround it. It is held gently with a fine holding pipette under a microscope, and one carefully chosen sperm is injected into the centre of the egg with an even finer needle. The injected eggs go back into the incubator and are checked for fertilisation the following day.
Before injection, the sperm is kept still. We use a laser for this, which takes a few milliseconds and does not damage the sperm.
Who ICSI suits
- Men with a very low sperm count, poor movement or abnormally shaped sperm
- Couples where fertilisation failed in an earlier IVF cycle
- Women with previous IVF failures or unexplained infertility
- Men with no sperm in the semen (azoospermia), using sperm retrieved surgically from the testis or epididymis
- Eggs or sperm that were frozen earlier
IMSI
With IMSI the embryologist examines sperm at very high magnification and picks those with the healthiest shape. It may help couples with severe sperm problems or repeated failed cycles. Your doctor will tell you if it is worth considering in your case.
Common questions
Does ICSI improve the chance of pregnancy?
ICSI improves the chance of fertilisation when sperm are the problem. Once an embryo forms, the chance of pregnancy depends mainly on the woman’s age and embryo quality.
My husband has no sperm in his semen. Can we still have our own child?
Often, yes. Sperm can sometimes be retrieved directly from the testis or epididymis in a minor procedure and used for ICSI. Our andrologist will examine him and explain the options.
Talk to our team
Book a consultation, or call us during consulting hours. We will explain your options in plain language before anything is decided.
Book an ICSI consultation