ICSI or Intracytoplasmic sperm injection is an advanced ART procedure carried along with IVF process where single egg is injected with single sperm with the help of a special micro-pipette. The only difference with conventional IVF and ICSI is the method of inseminating the egg with sperm. Once the eggs are retrieved, they are carefully denuded and one healthy sperm per egg is injected in the cytoplasm of egg without damaging it. ICSI requires a special micromanipulator and inverted microscope with magnification power up to 400 fold. At DREAMZ IVF, extremely skilled embryologist performs ICSI with precision.

ICSI is a boon for males whose sperm count is very low, motility is poor or the sperms have to be recovered surgically from the epididymis or testes. ICSI is also carried out in cases with history of failed fertilization in IVF, unexplained infertility or where frozen sperms are to be used.  ICSI improves chances of fertilization up to 80-90%. There are two advanced methods of ICSI according to the sperm selection method: PICSI & IMSI.

Physiological Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (P-ICSI)

P-ICSI or physiological ICSI is a method of sperm selection based on the maturity of the sperm. P-ICSI is carried out in a special petri dish containing tiny drops of hyaluronic acid, a substance which is naturally present in outer wall of egg. The sperms with higher fertility potential get attached to these drops and hence selected for injecting in the egg. P-ICSI is indicated in cases where DNA fragmentation index is high; previously failed IVF-ICSI or repeated miscarriages. P-ICSI technique increases the chances of pregnancy and decreases abortions. At DREAMZ IVF we carefully select candidates for P-ICSI.

Intracytoplasmic morphologically selected sperm injection (IMSI)

IMSI is one of the latest assisted reproductive technologies, where a special lens is used to increase the magnification up to 6000 fold. In conventional ICSI sperm are selected at 400x magnification. IMSI is specifically used where majority of sperms have structural defect. To select the best sperm for injection, they need to be carefully examined under such high magnification based on MSOME technology (Motile Sperm Organelle Morphology Examination).  The IMSI technique increases the fertilization and pregnancy rates, whilst decreasing the miscarriage rate.