Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection

Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) is a type of assisted reproductive technology (ART) used to treat infertility. It involves the direct injection of a single sperm into the cytoplasm of a mature egg. ICSI is used to treat male infertility, where there is a very low number of sperm or where sperm have difficulty penetrating the egg. It can also be used to treat genetic disorders in the sperm that prevent fertilization. During ICSI, the sperm is extracted from the male partner or a donor, and then carefully injected into the cytoplasm of the mature egg. The egg is then incubated and monitored for successful fertilization. The embryo is then transferred to the uterus, where it may implant into the uterine lining and result in pregnancy. ICSI has a number of advantages over traditional fertility treatments. It allows for higher fertilization rates, as only one sperm is needed to fertilize the egg. It also reduces the risk of chromosomal abnormalities, as the sperm is directly injected into the egg rather than naturally penetrating the egg. This means that any genetic defects in the sperm can be bypassed. In addition, ICSI can be used to treat male infertility, where sperm production or motility is low or where sperm have difficulty penetrating the egg. ICSI is also useful for couples who have had multiple unsuccessful attempts at in vitro fertilization (IVF).