What Is Intra-Cytoplasmic Sperm Injection?

An intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ISCI) is an in vitro fertilization procedure that involves taking a single sperm from a male and injecting it directly into an egg extracted from a female.

Significance

• ISCI is reserved for cases of male infertility, which may be caused by poor sperm count, quality or mobility. It is also an option for couples who have previously tried in vitro fertility procedures without success.

Considerations

• The success rate of ISCI depends on a number of factors, which include the woman's age, egg quality, quality of the laboratory and the skill level of the physician performing the procedure.

Procedure

• Since women generally produce one egg every month, they undergo a two-week fertility treatment so they produce more eggs. These mature eggs are removed from the woman, injected with the sperm and transplanted into the woman once they become fertilized.

Risks

• Women who become pregnant through ISCI are at higher risk of developing ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome or complications due to multiple pregnancies.

Birth Defects

• According to the UCSF Medical Center, babies born as a result of ISCI are four times more likely to develop chromosomal abnormalities than traditionally conceived babies.