TREATMENTS
ICSI Treatment
Understand when ICSI may support fertilisation within an IVF cycle.
GUIDANCE
When May ICSI Be Considered?
ICSI may be discussed in selected situations such as:
A male fertility evaluation can still be important even when ICSI is available, because identifying an underlying male reproductive condition may affect treatment or general health.
02
reduced sperm movement or other significant semen abnormalities
03
previous poor or failed fertilisation with conventional IVF
04
sperm obtained through a surgical retrieval procedure
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certain cases involving previously frozen eggs
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other laboratory or clinical situations where conventional fertilisation may be less suitable
PROCESS
How Does ICSI Work?
ICSI is performed within an IVF cycle, so it should be understood as the laboratory fertilisation method rather than a separate treatment pathway. The decision to use it is usually made after reviewing sperm findings, previous fertilisation history, egg maturity and the wider treatment plan.
Even when ICSI is recommended, each stage still depends on ovarian response, egg retrieval, laboratory assessment and embryo development. Counselling should explain both why ICSI is being used and what it cannot guarantee.
01
IVF Egg Retrieval
Eggs are collected as part of an IVF cycle after ovarian stimulation and monitoring.
02
Egg & Sperm Assessment
The laboratory assesses the available mature eggs and sperm sample.
03
Single-Sperm Injection
Using specialised laboratory equipment, an embryologist introduces one sperm directly into a mature egg.
04
Fertilisation Check & Embryo Development
The eggs are observed for signs of fertilisation. Any resulting embryos are monitored as they develop.
05
Embryo Transfer Planning
A suitable embryo may later be transferred into the uterus according to the IVF treatment plan.
06
Review of Embryo Options
The clinical team discusses suitable embryo transfer or freezing options according to embryo development and the couple's treatment plan.
GUIDANCE
What ICSI Can and Cannot Do
ICSI can help overcome some barriers to sperm entering an egg, particularly in selected male-factor or previous fertilisation problems. It does not guarantee that every injected egg will fertilise, that every fertilised egg will develop into a suitable embryo, or that embryo transfer will result in pregnancy.
The aim is to use ICSI when there is a clinical or laboratory reason for it rather than treating it as an automatic add-on for every IVF cycle.
BOOK APPOINTMENT
Discuss IVF With ICSI in Safdarjung Enclave
If you have significant male fertility concerns, previous fertilisation problems or have been advised to consider ICSI, schedule a consultation at Irene IVF Centre in Safdarjung Enclave.