Basic info on ICSI

Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) involves the injection of a single motile sperm into the oocyte (egg). This process can be used with IVF and ZIFT.

The ICSI process begins by applying gentle suction through a glass holding pipet, securing the oocyte. Then a single, immobilized sperm is held in the injection pipet. The injection pipet pierces the oocyte and the sperm is injected into the cytoplasm.

ICSI has proven to be an effective assisted fertilization technique for patients who produce a low number of viable, mature sperm or for patients who have experience failed fertilization following conventional in vitro insemination.