Intracytoplasmic refers to an assisted reproductive technology procedure in which sperm is artificially injected inside an egg’s cytoplasm. This is the gel-like substance in the center of an egg, made up of water, salt, and other molecules. Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) is an infertility treatment method in the field of in vitro fertilization. The ICSI procedure can assist in creating an embryo (fertilized egg).  In cases where sperm cannot penetrate the outer layer of the released egg for a variety of reasons, such as the egg’s outer layer being thick or hard to penetrate or the sperm being immotile, fertility experts use ICSI to enhance the couple’s ability to conceive a child.

How does ICSI work?

The doctor may recommend ICSI as part of your IVF procedure to treat many causes of infertility, especially when there is a problem with the sperm, such as low motility (movement) or a low sperm count. It is a process in which a single sperm is injected into the cytoplasm (center) of each egg by an embryologist. After the egg has been injected with sperm, the embryologist will observe the egg over the next day or so. If fertilization occurs and the embryo matures properly, it will be transferred into the uterine cavity. ICSI is also used when genetic testing like comprehensive chromosome screening (CCS) or pre-implantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) of the embryos is required.