in the icsi process, a tiny needle, called a micropipette, is used to inject a single sperm into the center of the egg. with either traditional ivf or icsi, once fertilization occurs, the fertilized egg grows in a laboratory for 1 to 5 days before it is transferred to the uterus.
icsi helps to overcome fertility problems, like:
– the male partner produces too few sperm to do artificial insemination (intrauterine insemination [iui]) or ivf.
– the sperm may not move in a normal fashion.
– the sperm may have trouble attaching to the egg.
– a blockage in the male reproductive tract may keep sperm from getting out.
– eggs have not been fertilized by traditional ivf, regardless of the condition of the sperm.
– in vitro matured eggs are being used.
– previously frozen eggs are being used.