What Is ICSI Treatment, and How Does It Work?

When pursuing fertility treatments, you might hear the term "ICSI" mentioned by your doctor. This specialised technique has helped thousands of couples overcome specific fertility challenges. At The Surrogacy Insider, I provide clear, accurate information about all aspects of fertility treatments. This article will walk you through everything you need to know about ICSI treatment.

The Evolution of ICSI: From Breakthrough to Standard Practice

ICSI simply stands for Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection. Pronounced "ick-see," this technique involves injecting a single sperm directly into an egg to achieve fertilisation. Developed in the early 1990s in Belgium, ICSI was initially created to help men with severe fertility problems have children. Before ICSI, men with very low sperm counts or poor sperm movement had few options to father biological children.

The first successful pregnancy using ICSI therapy was achieved in 1992, and since then, the technique has become increasingly common. Today, this specialised fertilisation technique accounts for more than 70% of all IVF cycles in many clinics worldwide. This remarkable growth reflects both the effectiveness of ICSI and the increasing recognition of male factor infertility as a common cause of conception difficulties.

Unlike conventional IVF, where sperm and eggs are simply placed together in a dish and fertilisation happens naturally, the ICSI procedure requires precise manipulation under a microscope. This direct approach overcomes many barriers to natural fertilisation.

When Is ICSI Treatment Necessary?

ICSI isn't needed for everyone undergoing fertility treatment, but it's particularly valuable in certain situations:

Male Factor Infertility: The most common reason for using ICSI fertility techniques is to address male fertility issues, including:

• Very low sperm count (oligospermia)

• Poor sperm movement (asthenospermia)

• Abnormal sperm shape (teratospermia)

• Complete absence of sperm in the ejaculate, requiring surgical extraction from the testicles

Previous IVF Failure: If standard IVF cycles have resulted in poor or no fertilisation despite healthy eggs and sperm, your doctor might recommend ICSI therapy for subsequent attempts.

Unexplained Infertility: Some couples with no obvious cause for their fertility struggles may benefit from this treatment as it can overcome subtle fertilisation problems not apparent in standard testing.

Egg Factors: When using frozen eggs or when egg quality is compromised, ICSI might improve fertilisation rates.

Special Circumstances: ICSI is often used in cases involving:

• Preimplantation genetic testing, as it reduces the risk of DNA contamination

• Fertility preservation for cancer patients

• Surrogacy arrangements where sperm quality might be uncertain

• HIV-serodiscordant couples (where only one partner has HIV)

The Science Behind ICSI

The ICSI procedure is a marvel of microscopic precision. To properly understand how intracytoplasmic sperm injection works, let's explore the scientific principles behind it.

At its core, ICSI therapy bypasses several natural fertility barriers. In natural conception, sperm must:

1. Travel through the female reproductive tract

2. Penetrate the outer layers of the egg

3. Fuse with the egg membrane

4. Activate the egg to begin development

With the treatment, these steps are bypassed entirely. Instead, embryologists use sophisticated micromanipulation equipment to accomplish this delicate task.

The intracytoplasmic sperm injection process involves several specialised tools:

• A holding pipette to stabilise the egg

• An injection pipette (thinner than a human hair) to capture and inject the sperm

• A high-powered microscope with specialised optics

• Precision manipulators that translate the embryologist's hand movements into tiny, precise adjustments

The true skill in ICSI lies in the embryologist's ability to select the most promising sperm based on appearance and movement. While automated systems exist, many clinics still rely on the trained eye and steady hands of experienced embryologists to perform this crucial task.

Unlike standard IVF, where thousands of sperm surround each egg and the strongest succeeds, ICSI fertility treatments rely entirely on the embryologist's selection. This human element makes the expertise of your fertility clinic particularly important when this approach is being used.

ICSI vs IVF: Understanding the Critical Differences

There's often confusion between the ICSI approach and IVF. When examining ICSI vs IVF, it's helpful to clarify that these aren't competing options. Instead, ICSI is a specialised fertilisation technique that may be used as part of an IVF cycle.

In standard IVF:

• Eggs and prepared sperm are placed together in a laboratory dish

• Fertilisation occurs when sperm naturally penetrates and fertilises the egg

• Multiple sperm compete, mimicking natural selection

• Fertilisation rates typically range from 40-70%

With ICSI approach:

• A single sperm is directly injected into each mature egg

• Natural selection of sperm is bypassed

• The embryologist chooses which sperm to use

• Fertilisation rates can reach 70-80% with experienced practitioners

The key difference in IVF vs ICSI is the method of fertilisation, not the overall treatment process. Both still require:

• Ovarian stimulation

• Egg retrieval

• Embryo culture

• Embryo transfer

Cost is another important consideration in the IVF vs ICSI decision. ICSI therapy typically adds £800-£1,500 to the cost of a standard IVF cycle. Some clinics now include ICSI as standard in their IVF packages, while others offer it only when medically necessary.

When weighing IVF vs ICSI, it's worth noting that while with ICSI, you can overcome fertilisation problems, it doesn't improve embryo development or increase pregnancy rates in couples without male factor infertility. Some studies suggest that unnecessary use of this kind of treatment might even be detrimental in certain cases.

Inside the ICSI Laboratory: The Procedure Explained

The ICSI procedure requires exceptional precision and specialised equipment. Here's the step-by-step process of intracytoplasmic sperm injection as performed in the embryology laboratory:

Egg Preparation: After egg retrieval, the eggs are examined under a microscope to assess maturity. Only mature eggs (those at the metaphase II stage) are suitable for ICSI. They're then placed in a special culture medium to stabilise them.

Sperm Preparation: Sperm undergoes a washing process to remove seminal fluid and concentrate the healthiest sperm. For men with extremely low sperm counts or no sperm in their ejaculate, sperm may be surgically retrieved from the testicles or epididymis through procedures like TESE (Testicular Sperm Extraction) or PESA (Percutaneous Epididymal Sperm Aspiration).

The ICSI Procedure:

1. The embryologist secures the egg with a gentle holding pipette

2. A single sperm is immobilised by crushing its tail (to prevent it from swimming away inside the egg)

3. The sperm is drawn into an extremely fine injection needle

4. The needle pierces the outer layer of the egg (zona pellucida)

5. The sperm is injected directly into the egg's cytoplasm

6. The needle is removed carefully to minimise damage

This entire ICSI procedure takes just minutes in the hands of an experienced embryologist but requires years of training to perfect. The embryologist must be careful not to damage the egg's internal structures, particularly the spindle, which organises chromosomes during cell division.

After intracytoplasmic sperm injection, eggs are returned to the incubator and checked the next day for signs of fertilisation. Successfully fertilised eggs will show two pronuclei, representing the genetic material from both parents.

When donor eggs are used, the same ICSI procedure applies, though egg donor requirements include additional screening for genetic conditions and a thorough medical history evaluation. The combination of carefully screened donor eggs and ICSI treatment can offer excellent success rates for those who need both interventions.

The Patient Experience: What to Expect During ICSI Procedure

If you're considering ICSI procedure, understanding the patient journey helps set realistic expectations. From my experience supporting intended parents through fertility treatments, I've observed that being prepared for each step reduces anxiety and improves the overall experience.

Pre-cycle Testing: Before starting the treatment, both partners undergo testing:

• Women: Hormonal assessment, ultrasound to check ovarian reserve, and screening for infectious diseases

• Men: Semen analysis, sometimes genetic testing, and infectious disease screening

Medication Protocol: The female partner (or egg donor meeting strict donor requirements) receives fertility medications to stimulate multiple egg development. These typically include:

• Daily hormone injections for 8-12 days

• Regular monitoring via blood tests and ultrasounds

• Trigger injection to finalise egg maturation before retrieval

Egg Retrieval: This 15-30 minute procedure is performed under sedation or light anaesthesia:

• Ultrasound-guided needle collects eggs from follicles

• Mild cramping and spotting are normal afterwards

• Recovery typically takes just a few hours

Sperm Collection: The male partner provides a fresh sample on the day of egg retrieval, or frozen sperm may be used. For surgical sperm retrieval, a separate procedure is scheduled, sometimes under local or general anaesthesia.

The Waiting Period: After ICSI, the wait begins:

• Day 1: Check for fertilisation

• Days 2-5: Monitor embryo development

• Day 3 or 5: Embryo transfer (typically 1-2 embryos)

• 9-14 days post-transfer: Pregnancy test

For those using ICSI as part of a surrogacy process, there's an additional coordination layer. The surrogate undergoes separate hormonal preparation to ready her uterus for embryo transfer. This synchronisation requires careful timing and communication between the fertility clinic and all parties involved.

Throughout the process, emotional support is crucial. Many patients report that the uncertainty during the waiting period is the most challenging aspect of undergoing this advanced fertilisation method.

Success Factors and Statistics for ICSI Therapy

ICSI success rates vary widely based on several key factors. These statistics can help you set realistic expectations as you consider this fertilisation technique.

Age Impact: The woman's age (or egg donor's age) is the most significant factor affecting ICSI fertility outcomes:

• Under 35: 40-50% live birth rate per embryo transfer

• 35-37: 30-40% success rate

• 38-40: 20-30% success rate

• Over 40: 10-20% success rate, decreasing with each year

Sperm Source Matters: Success rates vary depending on where sperm is obtained:

• Ejaculated sperm: Highest success rates

• Epididymal sperm (PESA): Slightly lower rates

• Testicular sperm (TESE): Lowest success rates, but still reasonable chances

Clinic Experience: The embryology team's expertise with the ICSI procedure significantly impacts outcomes. Clinics performing high volumes of ICSI therapy generally report better success rates.

Underlying Conditions: Success rates also depend on the reasons:

• Male factor only: Higher success rates

• Combined male and female factors: Lower success rates

• Advanced maternal age: Lower success rates regardless of sperm quality

It's worth noting that while ICSI treatment improves fertilisation rates in cases of male factor infertility, it doesn't necessarily increase live birth rates compared to conventional IVF when used for non-male factor indications.

When comparing IVF vs ICSI success rates, studies show similar pregnancy rates per embryo transfer when properly applied to the right patients. However, this method may result in slightly fewer embryos overall compared to conventional IVF in cases without male factor infertility.

For those using ICSI as part of a surrogacy process, success rates tend to be higher overall because surrogates are typically young women with proven fertility.

Beyond the Basics: Advanced Applications of ICSI

ICSI has evolved well beyond its original purpose of addressing male factor infertility. Today, intracytoplasmic sperm injection serves several advanced reproductive scenarios:

Preimplantation Genetic Testing (PGT): The ICSI approach is almost always used when embryos will undergo genetic testing because it reduces the risk of sperm DNA contamination that could affect test results. This is crucial for couples with:

• Known genetic disorders

• Recurrent pregnancy loss

• Advanced maternal age

• Gender selection needs for sex-linked disorders

Fertility Preservation: Cancer patients who freeze eggs or sperm before treatment typically use the ICSI method later for several reasons:

• Frozen-thawed sperm may have reduced motility

• Frozen eggs have a hardened outer shell that's difficult for sperm to penetrate naturally

• Maximising successful fertilisation is crucial when working with limited frozen samples

Poor Fertilisation History: For couples who have experienced unexplained fertilisation failure with conventional IVF, ICSI offers a solution by bypassing potential issues with sperm-egg binding or penetration.

Family Building for All: The treatment plays a vital role in LGBT surrogacy arrangements, particularly for gay male couples using donor eggs and surrogates. The technique helps maximise the chances of successful fertilisation regardless of the source of reproductive cells, making family dreams possible for diverse intended parents.

Complex Surrogacy Process Scenarios: When intended parents are using both donor eggs and their own or donor sperm in a surrogate, ICSI therapy often becomes part of the process to ensure optimal fertilisation rates, particularly if:

• Sperm quality is uncertain

• Frozen eggs are used

• Previous IVF cycles had poor results

• The financial and emotional stakes are especially high

Posthumous Reproduction: In situations where sperm has been retrieved after death or from a comatose patient, ICSI is typically the only viable option due to the often compromised quality of the sperm sample.

These advanced applications highlight how this treatment has become an essential tool in the reproductive medicine toolkit, enabling family-building options that would have been impossible just decades ago.

FAQ

Is ICSI safe for the resulting baby?

Research shows a slightly higher risk (1-2%) of certain birth defects compared to natural conception, though it's unclear if this is due to the ICSI procedure itself or underlying fertility issues. Most children born via ICSI develop normally, with long-term studies showing typical educational achievements and fertility rates as adults.

Does ICSI  treatment guarantee fertilisation?

No. While ICSI significantly improves fertilisation rates, especially for male factor infertility, fertilisation fails in about 15-30% of eggs. This can happen due to egg quality issues, abnormal sperm, or technical factors during the intracytoplasmic sperm injection process.

How do I decide between standard IVF and ICSI treatment?

The IVF vs ICSI decision should be based on medical factors. ICSI is clearly indicated for male factor infertility, previous fertilisation failure, or when using frozen eggs. For normal sperm parameters, conventional IVF may be preferable. Some clinics offer "split cycles" to determine which works best for you.

What additional costs are associated with the ICSI approach?

ICSI typically adds £800-£1,500 to a standard IVF cycle. Some clinics bundle it into their packages, while others charge separately. Surgical sperm retrieval, if needed, may cost an additional £1,000-£3,000. Some insurance policies cover ICSI when medically necessary, but coverage varies widely.

Can ICSI help with unexplained infertility?

Evidence is mixed. Some studies suggest ICSI might improve outcomes by ensuring fertilisation, while others show no benefit compared to conventional IVF. Some doctors recommend trying standard IVF first, then moving to ICSI if fertilisation fails, while others prefer using it from the start.