Background
Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection Program

Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) is performed to assist in egg fertilization during in vitro fertilization (IVF) or zygote intrafallopian tube transfer (ZIFT). The usual process for IVF/ZIFT fertilization involves placement of thousands of moving sperm with each egg in a culture dish. The sperm must penetrate the egg to cause fertilization. If recognized sperm abnormalities predicts failure of fertilization in vitro, ICSI may be recommended. Examples of sperm abnormalities are:

  • low sperm numbers
  • decrease in sperm movement
  • high number of abnormal sperm forms
  • history of previous fertilization failure with IVF/ZIFT

ICSI is performed by viewing the sperm and egg through a microscope, holding the egg with a micropipette (small glass tube), selecting an appropriate sperm and drawing it into a second, smaller, needle like glass tube. The tube is penetrated into the egg and the sperm is injected. The goal of ICSI is to promote fertilization.

The percent of eggs fertilized by ICSI will vary widely based on sperm and egg quality. An average fertilization rate would be 70% (range 0-100%). Following ICSI fertilization, the eggs will be handled in a routine manner as described for IVF and ZIFT.

ICSI is a relatively new procedure and there is limited worldwide experience. Thus far, offspring of this procedure have not shown an increased incidence of chromosomal abnormalities, physical defects, or other developmental defects. ICSI offspring are all children at this time, and whether health problems in any form will be recognized at a later date is unknown.

Genetic screening (chromosome analysis) of all pregnancies conceived by ICSI - performed by chorionic villus sampling or amniocentesis - is recommended.