In Vitro Fertilization with
ICSI
ICSI (Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection) solves cases where male factor limits fertilization. A single sperm, selected for quality, is injected directly into the egg under high-precision microscopy.
ICSI (Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection) is the In Vitro Fertilization variant that makes pregnancy possible when male factor is the main barrier. An embryologist selects the highest-quality sperm and injects it directly into the egg, under a high-precision microscope.
This changes the outlook for many cases. Men with low sperm count, poor motility, irregular morphology, or apparent absence of sperm in the ejaculate can have a biologically own baby, without resorting to donor sperm.
At Ingenes we apply ICSI inside a comprehensive plan, with up-to-date technology and an embryology team specialized in complex male factor.
- +0% Fertilization rate with ICSI
- +0 Years refining the technique
- Up to 0% Multi-cycle success rate
Three advantages that make the difference
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Precise sperm selection
The embryologist picks the sperm with the best morphology and motility under magnification, discarding those with lower fertilization potential.
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Controlled microinjection
A fine glass microneedle gently penetrates the egg and deposits the sperm directly inside, bypassing the natural barriers that in some cases prevent fertilization.
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Higher-quality embryos
By securing fertilization with the best available sperm, we get embryos with a higher chance of implanting and resulting in a healthy baby.
ICSI: when a single sperm is enough
In conventional IVF, eggs and sperm are placed together in the lab so fertilization can happen naturally. In ICSI, the embryologist takes it one step further: a single sperm is selected and injected directly into the egg with a fine glass microneedle.
This level of control allows fertilization to happen even when sperm has poor motility, altered morphology, or very low count. It is the tool that opens the door to a biologically own pregnancy for many couples who thought donor sperm was their only option.
ICSI is recommended when there is male factor or special cases
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Oligozoospermia
Low sperm concentration in the ejaculate. Even with few sperm, ICSI needs only one per egg.
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Asthenozoospermia and teratozoospermia
Reduced motility or irregular morphology. ICSI selects the sperm with the best visual performance and places it directly inside the egg.
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Azoospermia
Apparent absence of sperm in the ejaculate. With testicular retrieval techniques, finding a single viable sperm is enough to achieve fertilization.
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High DNA fragmentation
When sperm DNA comes damaged, ICSI allows visual selection of sperm with better integrity and increases the chance of a viable embryo.
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Previous IVF failures
If you already tried conventional IVF and the eggs did not fertilize, ICSI often resolves the blockage and opens a new attempt on different ground.
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Female couples and single women
ICSI with donor sperm is the standard path for female couples and single women who want to have a biologically own baby.
Your path is unique. So is your plan.
We design a protocol tailored to you after understanding your story and your previous tests. No generic diagnoses or protocols.
A precision procedure, in a coordinated team
The full process takes 4 to 6 weeks. It starts with controlled ovarian stimulation to obtain several mature eggs. Once retrieved, the embryologist processes the sperm sample, selects the best sperm, and performs the microinjection.
The resulting embryos are cultured under controlled conditions for 3 to 5 days, and the most viable ones are transferred to the uterus. Two weeks later, pregnancy is confirmed with a blood test.
Behind every step there is a team: reproductive physician, embryologist specialized in male factor, anesthesiologist, and nursing staff. That coordination is what secures the result, well beyond the technique itself.
Up to 96% cumulative success
If you have already tried before, or if you want a stronger strategy from day one, the Multi-Cycle Programs are the next level. They include between 2 and 4 IVF cycles with ICSI in the same plan, with team review between attempts to adjust protocols.
This raises cumulative success up to 96%. The difference is strategic, not only financial: your case is approached with the persistence that reproductive science demands in complex male factor.
See Multi-Cycle Programs
Frequently asked questions about ICSI
What is the difference between IVF and ICSI?
In conventional IVF, eggs and sperm are placed together in a dish so fertilization can happen naturally. In ICSI, the embryologist injects a single selected sperm directly into the egg. ICSI is used when sperm quality or quantity is limited and natural fertilization in the lab would be unlikely.
How many eggs are needed for ICSI?
There is no fixed number. Ideally we want between 8 and 15 mature eggs to have a good selection margin, but quality matters more than quantity. Your physician defines the target based on your ovarian reserve, your age, and the results of the initial workup.
How successful is ICSI on the first attempt?
In women under 35, the success rate per attempt ranges between 50% and 70%. That number drops with age and with other associated factors. That is why we recommend thinking about the treatment as a multi-attempt strategy, rather than a single shot.
How long does the full treatment last?
Between 4 and 6 weeks total: ovarian stimulation, egg retrieval, ICSI in the lab, embryo transfer, and two weeks of waiting until the blood pregnancy test.
What are the risks of ICSI?
Risks are low and well known: possible damage to an egg during microinjection, a slightly higher rate of genetic anomalies compared with conventional IVF, and the possibility of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome due to medication. We discuss them openly at the First Consultation.
Can ICSI be done with frozen eggs or frozen sperm?
Yes. ICSI works perfectly with frozen and thawed gametes, both from the patient and from a donor. In fact, it is the standard technique for cryopreserved eggs or sperm, where the goal is to maximize every attempt.
Were you told male factor limits your options?
With ICSI, a single sperm is enough to achieve fertilization. We will tell you whether this fits your case at the First Consultation.
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