Intra Cytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI)

The procedure for ICSI is similar to that for IVF, but instead of fertilisation taking place in a dish, the embryologist selects sperm from the sample and a single sperm is injected directly into each egg. The fertilised egg (embryo) is then transferred to the woman’s womb.

The major development of ICSI means that as long as some sperm can be obtained (even in very low numbers), fertilisation is possible. ICSI is often recommended if the male partner has a very low sperm count, or other problems with the sperm have been identified, such as poor morphology (abnormally shaped) and/or poor motility (poor swimmers)or previous attempts at in vitro fertilisation (IVF) there was either failure of fertilisation or an unexpectedly low fertilisation rate. It may also be of help if the male partner has had a vasectomy and sperm have been collected from the testicles.

The female patient is prescribed the fertility medications to stimulate the development of follicles. Once a sufficient number of follicles have formed the eggs are withdrawn. The same day a fresh sample of the man’s sperm is provided or, if this is not the best option, by using the TESA procedure (under local anaesthesia tissue/sperm is aspirated from the male’s testicles). Selected sperm is injected to the egg. The next day the eggs are checked for fertilisation. If successful, one – three of the best quality embryos are transferred to the womb.