Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection

ICSI TREATMENT
Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI, pronounced eeksee or icksy) is an in vitro
fertilization procedure in which a single sperm is injected directly into an egg. The technique
was developed by Gianpiero Palermo around 1991 in Brussels. Today it has become the
treatment of choice for men with weak sperms that cannot travel themselves into the egg.
Approximately 40% of fertility in couples can be attributed to male sub fertility. ICSI has raised
hopes of these couples. This method of treating predominantly male-factor infertility has been
a breakthrough, and it has established itself as the preferred method of treatment in the field
of assisted reproduction.
When can ICSI be performed ?
ICSI is an amazing procedure that can be performed with ejaculated sperms or even with
sperms retrieved from the epidydimis os testis! Men with obstruction in their passages can
father a child by using their own sperms that have been extracted by a surgeon.

ICSI can also be offered to patients of previous IVF failures due to failed fertilization and
patients with unexplained infertility. ICSI is different from conventional insemination since we
clean away the follicle cells from around the eggs and an embryologist chooses the sperm to be
injected. A small number of eggs do not tolerate the injection procedure and you can expect
that about 5% of eggs die as a direct result of ICSI. However, fertilization rates, embryo
quality and pregnancy rates are the same as for couples who do not have ICSI.
How is ICSI performed?
The process involves the injection of a single sperm within the ooplasm of the oocyte.
Following the first ICSI birth in 1992 thousands of babies have been born around the world.
Sperms for ICSI can be obtained from ejaculate even when only few are present or through
surgical retrieval from epididynis (PESA-Percutaneous epididymal sperm aspiration) or testis.

Microinjection is normally performed under a specialized microscope with the aid of a
micromanipulator which allows small movements under high magnification. The
scientist/embryologist sits on the ICSI station, looks either directly into the microscope or at a
monitor that magnifies the image and then injects the egg by moving two manipulators that
look and function like joysticks. He holds the oocyte with one hand and injects through the
other.
Dr. Sonia Malik
My long cherished desire of having a sibling for my son was fulfilled by Dr. Sonia Malik &
her team. Their personalized case and interest for every individual patient is praise
worthy. I am so grateful to God that there are people like Dr. Malik around to realize their
dreams of patients like me. So much so, that I have decided to call my daughter Sonia!
Services & Treatments
In Vitro Fertilization (IVF)
Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI)
IMSI
Male Infertility
Recurrent Pregnancy Loss Clinic