Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI)

Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) is a specialized form of IVF that is used for the treatment of severe cases of male factor infertility. ICSI involves the injection of a single sperm directly into a mature egg.

Approximately 30% of all infertility is due to a significant male factor problem. ICSI has revolutionized the treatment for male infertility. Prior to the first successful ICSI pregnancy in 1992, very little could be offered to couples with severe male factor infertility, aside from using donor sperm. Individuals that may be helped by ICSI include couples who have had poor or no fertilization during standard IVF, as well as men who have:

Poor sperm morphology (abnormally shaped sperm) Poor sperm motility (slow moving sperm) A low sperm count An obstruction which prevents sperm release Antisperm antibodies (antibodies produced by the man's body that may inhibit sperm function) A vasectomy reversal that was unsuccessful or resulted in a very low sperm count or very poor quality sperm