About

Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI)

What is
Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI)

Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI) is an advanced procedure performed as part of an In Vitro Fertilisation (IVF) cycle. In ICSI, an embryologist injects a single healthy sperm directly into an egg under high-powered microscope guidance.

This technique bypasses natural barriers to fertilisation, ensuring that sperm can penetrate the egg successfully. ICSI has become one of the most significant breakthroughs in assisted reproduction, especially for couples experiencing male factor infertility.

Who is ICSI Recommended For?

CSI may be recommended in the following situations:

Very low sperm count
Poor sperm motility (movement)
Abnormally shaped sperm (poor morphology)
Cases where sperm cannot penetrate the egg naturally
When few eggs are retrieved after ovarian stimulation
Couples who have had failed or poor fertilisation in a previous IVF cycle
When frozen sperm samples are being used, including surgically retrieved sperm

Advantages of ICSI Treatment

ICSI offers several benefits, including:

Higher fertilisation rates in cases of severe male factor infertility
Enables fertilisation even with very few sperm
Makes pregnancy possible using sperm retrieved directly from the testes or epididymis (e.g., via TESE or PESA procedures)
Can be performed with eggs of limited quantity, maximising each opportunity for conception
Has helped thousands of couples achieve successful pregnancies where conventional IVF alone was not effective

Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI)

ICSI Procedure

  • Egg Retrieval
    Eggs are collected from the female partner following ovulation induction.
  • Sperm Collection & Preparation
    A sperm sample is obtained from the male partner and specially prepared in the lab. In some cases, sperm is surgically retrieved if it cannot be obtained naturally.
  • Micromanipulation
    Using a high-powered microscope, the embryologist selects a single healthy sperm and injects it directly into each mature egg.
  • Fertilisation & Embryo Culture
    The injected eggs are monitored for fertilisation and early embryo development.
  • Embryo Transfer
    The best-quality embryos are selected and transferred into the uterus, similar to standard IVF.

What to Expect

  • ICSI is carried out in the embryology laboratory and does not cause additional discomfort to the patient beyond standard IVF.
  • The chances of successful fertilisation are significantly improved in cases of male infertility.
  • Embryos created through ICSI are monitored just like standard IVF embryos, ensuring the best are chosen for transfer.

ICSI Success Rates

  • Fertilisation rates with ICSI are generally higher than with conventional IVF in male infertility cases.
  • Success rates depend on multiple factors, including egg quality, sperm quality, and the woman’s age.
  • At centres like Thomson Fertility, ICSI is performed with precision and has an excellent track record of helping couples achieve pregnancy.

ICSI Cost in Malaysia

The cost of ICSI is in addition to a standard IVF cycle, since it involves advanced laboratory techniques.

  • It is generally more expensive than conventional IVF alone, but offers higher chances of success when male infertility is a factor.
  • Please speak with our Patient Careline for detailed pricing and package options.

Risks & Considerations

While ICSI greatly improves fertilisation chances, it does not guarantee pregnancy.
In rare cases, fertilisation may still fail if the eggs or sperm are of very poor quality.
Some studies suggest a slightly higher risk of genetic or chromosomal abnormalities when ICSI is used, particularly if the male partner’s infertility is genetic in origin. Your doctor may recommend genetic counselling in such cases.