
As they travel through the fallopian tubes, sperm gain the ability to fertilize an egg. They undergo two processes: capacitation, where its outer layer is changed, and hyperactivation, which changes the way the sperm’s tail moves. To enter the egg, the sperm has to break through a group of cells known as the cumulus oophorus that surrounds the egg. The sperm dissolves these cells using an enzyme, acrosin. Once a sperm has penetrated an egg, this membrane changes and becomes impenetrable to other sperm. It then fuses with the DNA of the egg to form the zygote.


ICSI (IntraCytoplasmic Sperm Injection) – literally translated as “sperm injection into the egg”. This is the first complementary in vitro fertilization technique that has appeared. Its point is that first the reproductive physician selects a spermatozoon, with the help of an electron microscope, with a magnification of 400-600 times. Thus, he can see all pathologies, mutations, cell activity and chooses the healthiest one. After all, only a full-fledged sperm cell can give a healthy and full-fledged child.
He fixes it and places it in a special, very small needle. Further, with the help of this needle, he pierces the outer shell of the egg and injects the sperm directly into its cytoplasm. Thus, the doctor fertilizes the egg. This happens with all eggs received from a woman.
Then everything happens as in usual IVF: embryo incubation, uterine implantation and a successful pregnancy.
Adding ICSI to IVF significantly increases the chances of successful fertilization and the birth of a healthy child.
Indications:
But the doctors did not stop there, they continued their research and decided that the procedure could be further improved. This was facilitated by technical progress, namely more powerful microscopes. And then a new method appeared – IMSI and PICSI.
PICSI (Physiologic Intra Cytoplasmic Sperm Injection) – if literally, it is translated as “physiological intracytoplasmic sperm injection”. This method is also an addition to the best ICSI infertility treatment. But in addition to visual selection, under a magnification of 400 times, the determination of the physiological activity of the sperm cell is also added using special media. They are added to the “test tube” to the sperm, and simulate conditions as close as possible to the penetration of the sperm through all the membranes of the egg.
Thus, the doctor checks the maturity of the sperm, activity, physiological “strength” and the ability to interact with the egg. In his decision, the doctor is guided not only by visual data but also by the chemical and biological characteristics of the sperm.
Further, the procedure is carried out as in conventional IVF + ICSI. As practice shows, PICSI increases the chances of a successful pregnancy by 25-35%.
IMSI (Intracytoplasmic Morphologically Selected Sperm Injection) – which means “Intracytoplasmic, morphologically selected sperm injection”. This technique is an addition to the ICSI in Noida. But there is one main difference – this is a microscope. During the IMSI, a magnification of 6000 times is used.
This method became available only when modern, powerful microscopes appeared. This increase allows you to see not only the mobility and vitality of spermatozoa but also to carry out their morphological selection.
What does it mean? Almost every man has pathologically developed spermatozoa: two heads, bifurcation of the tail, the absence of a nucleus inside the cell, or other mutations, small mutations in the morphological structure of the sperm. Normally, there are only a few such spermatozoa. But, for various reasons, they can become much more, and then pregnancy does not occur or does occur, but the child is born with pathologies.
In turn, the IMSI method allows you to select the best sperm and fertilize. Further, the procedure is carried out according to the standard IVF + ICSI protocol.
As practice shows, the additional IMSI procedure raises the success rate of IVF to 70% even in the most severe cases of male infertility.
The indications for the procedure are the same as for ICSI, but it is additionally recommended to do it if a man or his family has had cases of genetic mutation, pathology, and congenital diseases.
Also, the method allows you to almost completely remove the possibility of having a child with pathologies.
So, the IMSI method allows you to select the best sperm and fertilize. Further, the procedure is carried out according to the standard IVF + ICSI protocol.
As practice shows, the additional IMSI procedure raises the success rate of IVF up to 70% even in the most severe cases of male infertility.
The indications for the procedure are the same as for ICSI, but it is additionally recommended to do it if a man or his family has had cases of genetic mutation, pathology, and congenital diseases.
Also, the method allows you to almost completely remove the possibility of having a child with pathologies.

1. Can ICSI be done without IVF?
No, ICSI is a part of the IVF process and cannot be done separately.
2. How ICSI works?
A single sperm is injected directly into an egg to help fertilization, especially in male infertility cases.
3. Who needs ICSI treatment?
ICSI is for couples with male infertility, poor sperm quality, or previous IVF failure.
4. When ICSI is recommended?
It’s recommended for low sperm count, failed IVF attempts, or when using frozen/surgically retrieved sperm.
5. Is ICSI is better than IVF?
ICSI is not better, but it’s more suitable for certain infertility issues, mainly male-related.