Fertility
If you’re ready to have a child, but facing fertility challenges, reproductive endocrinologists can help. Find fertility solutions and services at locations throughout the Philadelphia area.
Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI)
What is an intracytoplasmic sperm injection?
In the past, low sperm count or other sperm problems meant using donated sperm for in vitro fertilization (IVF). Now, with intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), you may be able to use your own sperm to conceive a child with your partner.
Normally during in vitro fertilization, thousands of sperm are put into a petri dish with a woman's eggs. Intracytoplasmic sperm injection involves injecting one sperm directly into the woman's egg during in vitro fertilization.
Benefits of intracytoplasmic sperm injection
Intracytoplasmic sperm injection is a solution for couples who wish to become pregnant, but have problems with infertility. It is specifically helpful when there are sperm problems, such as:
- Low sperm count
- Poor sperm quality
- Problems with sperm motility (movement)
- Problems with sperm morphology (structure)
Intracytoplasmic sperm injection may also be recommended when previous in vitro fertilization attempts have not been successful or when there are a low number of eggs available for fertilization.
How sperm is retrieved for intracytoplasmic sperm injection
The sperm used for intracytoplasmic sperm injection may be retrieved using one of these methods:
- Collection (by ejaculation) on the same day as egg retrieval
- Thawed from a previous collection of sperm that were frozen
- Retrieved from the testicles during a minor surgical procedure (for men with problems ejaculating)
The sperm is then injected directly into the egg for in vitro fertilization.
Intracytoplasmic sperm injection gives hope to couples who want to become biological parents. If you have problems with sperm quality and do not wish to use donated sperm to become pregnant, talk to your doctor about intracytoplasmic sperm injection.