Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI)

What Is ICSI (Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection)?
ICSI (Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection) is a specialised method of in vitro fertilisation mainly used in cases of male infertility, as well as in cases of low ovarian response or unexplained infertility. During the procedure, a single sperm is selected and injected directly into the cytoplasm of an egg using a very fine needle, bypassing certain steps of natural fertilisation. This technique is particularly useful when there is a low sperm count, reduced sperm motility, or abnormal sperm morphology and increases the chances of successful fertilisation.

In Which Cases Is It Recommended?
ICSI can also be applied in a natural cycle IVF, where only one egg is collected. More specifically, this method is recommended in the following cases:

●       when infertility is caused by a male factor

●       when conventional IVF has failed in the past

●       when unexplained infertility is present, combined with low ovarian reserve and a limited number of eggs collected during egg retrieval

What Is the Procedure of ICSI?
The embryologist uses a high-magnification microscope to select sperm with the best morphology, depending on the number of eggs collected. Then, using a specialised micromanipulation system, the embryologist performs the injection of a single sperm into each egg. After this, there is a monitoring period during which the eggs are observed to identify those that fertilise successfully and develop into embryos. Compared to the traditional IVF technique—where eggs and sperm are placed together in culture medium and fertilisation occurs naturally—ICSI is a more demanding and delicate procedure performed by the embryologist.

What Are the Success Rates?
The success rates of ICSI fertilisation can reach approximately 80%. Success rates depend on factors such as the woman’s age, the sperm DNA fragmentation index (DFI), as well as other unknown parameters. Our laboratory has high success rates with ICSI and often recommends it in our treatments, without additional financial cost.

What Are the Possible Risks?
Although children born after ICSI do not differ from those conceived naturally, there are some potential risks associated with the technique, although the overall risk remains very low:

●       specific chromosomal abnormalities

●       premature birth and low birth weight

●       possible damage to the eggs during the procedure