Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI)

It is a micromanipulation technique consisting in the selection of a high-quality sperm, which is immobilised with a special glass micropipette under a microscope. The sperm is then sucked into the micropipette and inserted directly into the cytoplasm of a mature egg capable of fertilisation.

ICSI is recommended to couples in the following cases:

• Andrological indications: the partner's spermiogram shows poor motility, low sperm count or poor sperm morphology, the partner's sperms were retrieved surgically (TESE, MESA) or they were cryopreserved due to fertility impairing treatment;
• PGD/PGS;
• Immunological infertility factor;
• Low number of retrieved eggs;
• Fertilisation failure during previous IVF cycle;
• Repeated miscarriages in previous cycles;
• Unfavourable embryo development in previous cycles;
• Endometriosis and age over 35 years;
• Treatment with donated oocytes.

The average success rate of egg fertilisation by ICSI ranges between 70 and 80% and in 95% cases, the couple has at least one fertilised egg at their disposal.