Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI)

Intracytoplasmic sperm injection, or ICSI (pronounced “ick-see”), is an advanced laboratory technique often used alongside IVF to help achieve fertilization when sperm are unable to penetrate the egg on their own. This highly precise method requires only a single healthy sperm for each mature egg—making it a transformative option for many patients facing male-factor or unexplained infertility.

When is ICSI used?

• When men have compromised sperm, like low concentration, motility, morphology, or anti-sperm antibodies

• Blockage or absence of the vas deferens, where sperm is surgically collected by epididymal aspiration or testicular biopsy

• If you've had low or failed fertilization on prior IVF attempts

• In cases of unexplained infertility (where infertility cause remains unknown after diagnostic testing)

• Where certain medication or other medical history cause a problem with sperm

• IVF cycles involving pre-implantation genetic diagnosis/screening

How ICSI Works

ICSI takes place right inside our embryology lab during an IVF cycle. Once your eggs have been retrieved, each one is gently held in place under a high-powered microscope. Then, using a microscopic glass needle thinner than a strand of hair, a single sperm is carefully injected directly into the egg.

It’s a quiet, intricate process—one that combines advanced technology with the steady hands and expertise of our lab team.

Egg Retrieval

Eggs are collected from your ovaries during your IVF cycle.

Sperm Selection

A single, healthy, active sperm is chosen from the sample (from your partner or a donor).

Injection

Using a fine glass pipette, that single sperm is placed directly inside the egg to help fertilization happen.

Fertilization + Embryo Growth

The fertilized eggs are returned to the incubator, where they begin growing into embryos. Within about 24 hours, our team checks to see how many have fertilized normally—typically around 70–80%.

Embryo Transfer or Freezing

A healthy embryo is transferred to the uterus a few days later, or high-quality embryos can be safely frozen for future use.

Each step happens under the care of experienced embryologists who treat every egg and embryo as if it were their own—meticulously watched over, nurtured, and celebrated.

ICSI and IVF: Working Together

ICSI is performed as part of your IVF cycle—it doesn’t replace IVF, but enhances it. While IVF retrieves and cultures the eggs, ICSI helps sperm and egg connect on a microscopic level. For many patients, that little bit of precision makes all the difference.

Your fertility specialist will discuss whether traditional IVF or IVF with ICSI offers the best approach for you.