Intra-cytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI)

Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection is a procedure that is done in conjunction with an IVF treatment. Under this, the sperm is injected directly into an egg for the fertilization process. The injection is administered in a lab after the eggs have been retrieved.

This procedure is done in case of male infertility wherein the male partner’s sperm count is low or has poor motility. The basic difference between an ICSI and IVF is that under the latter several sperm are placed in a dish with the eggs to allow fertilization to occur naturally, whereas in the former one sperm is injected directly into the egg with the hope of fertilization taking place. ICSI is typically recommended to patients with male infertility, diminished ovarian reserve, advanced maternal age, or poor fertilization results from standard insemination.