Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI)

Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI) was first introduced into assisted conception technology in 1992 and has revolutionized the treatment of severe male infertility.

ICSI is a technique whereby one individual sperm is picked in a tiny needle, which is many times finer than a human hair. This sperm is then injected directly into the centre of a mature egg which are obtained at the time of egg collection during a woman’s IVF treatment cycle.  Fertilisation rates following ICSI are variable and range between 65 to 85%.

ICSI is required for sperms that would normally not be able to fertilise an egg naturally or during IVF treatment.  There have been some concerns, discussions and publications about potential risks to children born as a result of ICSI over the years and although the published data seem largely reassuring to date, the long term risks to the children born are not yet known.