What is Precision ICSI?
Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI) is an advanced laboratory procedure where a single selected healthy sperm is micro-injected directly into the cytoplasm of a mature egg using high-precision micromanipulators.
Who May Benefit?
Ideal for couples experiencing severe male factor infertility (low sperm count, poor motility, abnormal morphology), prior fertilization failure in standard IVF, or when using surgically retrieved sperm.
When is it Considered?
Advised when standard IVF fertilization rates are expected to be low due to sperm parameters or past clinical history.
Step-by-Step Process
- Ovarian Stimulation & Retrieval: Same stimulation and egg retrieval process as standard IVF.
- Sperm Preparation: Isolating the most viable and healthy sperm under high-magnification microscopy.
- Microinjection: Injecting a single sperm directly into the egg using a microneedle.
- Culturing & Transfer: Culturing the resulting embryos in multi-gas incubators before transfer.
Tests and Evaluation
Detailed semen analysis, sperm DNA fragmentation test, and egg quality assessment are conducted.
Treatment Timeline
Matches the standard IVF timeline, requiring approximately 4 to 6 weeks.
Factors Affecting Outcomes
Egg quality, sperm viability, and embryologist expertise are the key factors determining fertilization and developmental rates.
Risks and Considerations
Risks align with standard IVF, with minimal additional micromanipulation risks.
Expected Follow-Up
Standard post-transfer hormonal support and a Beta hCG pregnancy check after 14 days.