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INTRACYTOPLASMIC SPERM INJECTION
(ICSI)

WHAT IS ICSI?

Sometimes the sperm cannot penetrate the outer layer, for a variety of reasons. The egg’s outer layer may be thick or hard to penetrate or the sperm may be unable to swim. In these cases, a procedure called intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) can be done to help fertilize the egg. During ICSI, a single sperm is injected directly into the cytoplasm the egg.

INDICATION

  • The male partner produces too few sperm to do artificial insemination (intrauterine insemination [IUI]) or IVF.
  • The sperm may not move in a normal fashion.
  • The sperm may have trouble attaching to the egg.
  • A blockage in the male reproductive tract may keep sperm from getting out.
  • Eggs have not fertilized by traditional IVF, regardless of the condition of the sperm.
  • In vitro matured eggs are being used.
  • Previously frozen eggs are being fertilized.

Once fertilization takes place, a couple’s chance of giving birth to a single baby, twins, or triplets is the same if they have IVF with or without ICSI.