Intra Cytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI)

Who should be treated with Intra Cytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI) ?

Patients with severe male infertility problems: fairly low sperm count with poor movement, poor morphology, and irreparable vasectomy, abnormal or blocked ejaculatory ducts.

ICSI Process:

The steps for ICSI are the same as for IVF except that in the laboratory, embryologist selects and picks up individual sperm in a specially designed ICSI needle. The sperm is injected into the inner part (cytoplasm) of the egg in order to cause fertilization (see picture).

Process of ICSI, in which the sperm is visible at the tip of the needle before it is inserted into the egg.

Same as IVF, embryos will be transferred into the uterine cavity by a soft catheter. Extra embryos which are not being transferred will be cryopreserved (frozen) for later use. Patients are advised to have a full bladder prior to the procedure, the procedure will be guided by abdominal ultrasound (no sedation is needed at this stage). The length of the procedure is approximately 30-45 minutes. After the procedure, the patient may experience mild abdominal discomfort and bloating.