Intra-Cytoplasmic

Sperm Injection (ICSI)

ICSI: What It Is and When Is It Used?

Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI) is a specialised laboratory technique used during an IVF cycle to assist with fertilisation. Unlike standard IVF, where eggs and sperm are combined in a dish, ICSI involves injecting a single sperm directly into each mature egg using precise microscopic tools.

ICSI is not used in every fertility case. Your specialist may recommend it when specific challenges make fertilisation less likely to occur on its own.

These may include:

If the sperm count is very low (oligozoospermia), there are fewer sperm available to fertilise the egg, which can reduce the likelihood of success with standard IVF.
When sperm have poor movement (asthenozoospermia), this makes it harder for them to reach and enter the egg without assistance.
The sperm have abnormal shape or structure (morphology issues), affecting their ability to fertilise an egg. ICSI allows an individual sperm to be selected and injected directly into the egg.
The sperm ducts are blocked or sperm must be retrieved surgically, such as after a vasectomy or due to medical conditions affecting sperm transport.
In some cases when fertilisation does not occur in previous IVF cycles, ICSI may help overcome barriers that standard IVF could not resolve.

Your fertility specialist will take time to assess your individual circumstances and explain if ICSI may meaningfully support your chance of a successful outcome.

If male fertility is a contributing factor in your treatment, you may also like to learn more about fertility health for men.

A Closer Look at the ICSI Treatment Process.

If ICSI has been recommended as part of your IVF treatment, knowing what lies ahead can help ease uncertainty and build confidence. While your experience will be personal to you, this overview offers a helpful guide through each stage, from initial preparation to pregnancy testing.

Preparing for Treatment

The ICSI treatment begins with hormone medication, taken over several days to encourage your ovaries to produce multiple mature eggs. This increases the chance of successful fertilisation. During this time, you’ll attend regular check-ups for blood tests and ultrasound scans, so your specialist can monitor your progress and determine the best time for egg collection.

Egg Collection and Sperm Preperation

Once your eggs are ready, they’ll be retrieved through a short procedure under light sedation. Most egg collections take less than 30 minutes, and your wellbeing is closely monitored throughout. On the same day, a fresh or previously frozen sperm sample is prepared in our laboratory using advanced techniques to select the healthiest and most active sperm for fertilisation.

Fertilisation and Embryo Development

The ICSI procedure is performed by our experienced embryologist, who carefully injects a single sperm into each mature egg using specialised microscopic equipment. Your embryos are then carefully monitored over the next few days for signs of healthy development. You’ll receive updates during this time and can ask questions as your treatment progresses.

Embryo Transfer and Pregnancy Testing

Once an embryo has developed to the appropriate stage, it is transferred into your uterus in a gentle, straightforward procedure. This usually occurs three to five days after fertilisation. About two weeks later, a pregnancy test is performed to determine if implantation has occurred. Whatever the result, your specialist will talk through the next steps with care and clarity.

Our team is here to make sure you feel informed, supported, and reassured at every part of your treatment.

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