What is the Origin of Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection?

The term is descriptive of the precise procedure, combining 'intra' (within), 'cytoplasmic' (the cell fluid), and 'sperm injection'. Developed in the early 1990s, ICSI revolutionized the treatment of male infertility, offering a solution for men with low sperm count or motility. Its clinical application represents a pinnacle of precision in reproductive medicine and embryology.

What is the Mechanism of Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection?

The mechanism of ICSI bypasses the natural barriers to fertilization, specifically the need for sperm to penetrate the egg's outer layers, the cumulus and zona pellucida. A micro-needle is used to immobilize a single sperm and deliver it directly into the oocyte's cytoplasm. This direct injection ensures the sperm reaches the egg's nucleus, facilitating the fusion of genetic material and subsequent embryonic development, offering a high probability of fertilization even with severely compromised sperm samples.

Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection

Meaning

Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection, commonly known as ICSI, is a highly specialized assisted reproductive technology (ART) procedure utilized to achieve fertilization in vitro. This micro-manipulation technique involves the direct injection of a single, carefully selected sperm into the cytoplasm of a mature egg. ICSI is primarily indicated for couples facing severe male factor infertility or those who have experienced previous fertilization failure with conventional in vitro fertilization (IVF).