Listen to this article
Tap play — works on desktop and mobile
ICSI is the most effective treatment for male-factor infertility. Learn how ICSI works, who needs it, how it differs from standard IVF, and what to look for in an ICSI centre in Chennai.
What Is ICSI?
Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI) is an advanced form of IVF in which a single, healthy sperm is injected directly into a mature egg by an embryologist. It bypasses the natural barriers to fertilisation and is the treatment of choice when sperm count, motility, or shape is a concern.
ICSI vs. Conventional IVF
Conventional IVF | ICSI | |
|---|---|---|
How fertilisation happens | Thousands of sperm placed with each egg; one fertilises naturally | One sperm injected directly into each egg |
Sperm required | Adequate count and motility | Very few sperm — even surgically retrieved |
Best for | Female-factor or unexplained infertility with normal sperm | Male-factor infertility, previous fertilisation failure |
Who Needs ICSI?
Low sperm count (oligospermia)
Poor sperm motility or abnormal morphology
Sperm retrieved surgically (TESA, PESA, micro-TESE)
Previous IVF cycles with poor or failed fertilisation
High sperm DNA fragmentation
Use of frozen sperm with limited quantity
The ICSI Process
Ovarian stimulation and monitoring (as in IVF)
Egg retrieval under short anaesthesia
Sperm collection and selection of the healthiest sperm
Injection of one sperm into each mature egg
Embryo culture for 3–5 days
Embryo transfer (fresh or frozen)
What Affects ICSI Success
Egg quality and the woman's age
Embryologist skill and lab quality
Sperm selection technique (PICSI, MACS, microfluidics)
Embryo culture conditions and selection
Uterine health
ICSI at Iswarya Fertility, Chennai
Iswarya Fertility performs ICSI in Chennai with experienced embryologists, advanced sperm selection, and an in-house andrology lab for surgical sperm retrieval. Our IVF/ICSI success rate is around 75%. Call or WhatsApp 99627-00000 to book a consultation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between IVF and ICSI?
In conventional IVF, many sperm are placed with an egg and one fertilises it naturally. In ICSI, a single sperm is injected directly into the egg — used mainly for male-factor infertility.
Who needs ICSI?
ICSI is recommended for low sperm count, poor motility or morphology, surgically retrieved sperm, high DNA fragmentation, or previous fertilisation failure.
Is ICSI more successful than IVF?
ICSI is more successful when sperm quality is the issue. For couples with normal sperm, conventional IVF and ICSI have similar outcomes.
What is the ICSI success rate at Iswarya Fertility?
Iswarya Fertility's IVF/ICSI success rate is approximately 75%, depending on age and individual factors.