When sperm-related factors make fertilisation difficult, ICSI gives your eggs the best possible chance. A single, healthy sperm is carefully selected and injected directly into each mature egg by our expert embryologists — as part of your IVF cycle. Available at our KK Nagar and Mylapore clinics in Chennai.
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ICSI (Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection) at Kanaa Fertility is an advanced IVF technique used when sperm-related factors make natural fertilisation difficult — a single, healthy sperm is injected directly into each mature egg to help fertilisation happen. Two clinics in KK Nagar & Mylapore, with in-person & online consultations.
One of the most advanced fertilisation techniques available, used within an IVF cycle when help is needed to bring egg and sperm together.
ICSI and IVF are essentially the same procedure — eggs and sperm are collected the same way. The only real difference is how fertilisation happens.
In a standard IVF cycle, sperm and eggs are placed together in a dish, and fertilisation happens naturally, on its own. With ICSI, our embryologist selects a single, healthy-looking sperm and injects it directly into the centre of a mature egg, using a fine glass needle under a high-powered microscope.
This extra step is especially helpful when sperm count, movement, or shape make it harder for fertilisation to happen on its own — or when a previous IVF cycle did not result in fertilisation.
Fertilisation is guided carefully in the lab, not left to chance.
Even a very low sperm count or weak movement can still be used.
Every sperm and egg is handled carefully, under high magnification.
Sperm selection is where ICSI's precision really matters. Our embryologist examines the sample under a high-magnification microscope, assessing each sperm's shape, structure, and movement before choosing the healthiest-looking one for each egg.
If a sample has very few sperm, or none in the ejaculate, sperm can sometimes be retrieved directly through a minor surgical procedure.
Whether fresh or frozen sperm is being used.
Movement and shape are assessed carefully under the microscope.
The single healthiest-looking sperm is chosen for each mature egg.
For very low counts, sperm can sometimes be collected directly.
Every step is explained to you as we go — you will always know where your treatment stands.
ICSI is not for everyone — your Kanaa specialist recommends it only after a proper fertility evaluation. It is often considered when:
When there are very few sperm available, ICSI gives each one the best chance to fertilise an egg.
When a high number of sperm are irregularly shaped or slow-moving.
Sperm retrieved surgically can still be used successfully with ICSI.
When frozen sperm is not of the best quality, ICSI can still achieve fertilisation.
When these make natural conception difficult, sperm can be collected and used via ICSI.
Whether due to a blockage or how sperm is produced, sperm can often still be retrieved for ICSI.
For patients who froze sperm before treatments like chemotherapy, ICSI can help use that sample later.
Including cases where sperm show very little or no movement at all.
Not sure if it is right for you? A consultation is the clearest way to find out.
A clear, step-by-step path through one IVF cycle — every protocol personalised to you.
Medicines are given to help your ovaries produce multiple mature eggs.
Once eggs are mature, they are collected in a short procedure under sedation.
A fresh or frozen sample is collected and prepared in the lab on the same day.
Using a specialised instrument called a micromanipulator, the embryologist steadies the mature egg with a holding pipette, then carefully picks up a single sperm with a fine injection pipette and injects it directly into the egg’s cytoplasm.
Embryologists check for signs of successful fertilisation, usually within 16–18 hours of injection.
Fertilised eggs are monitored in the lab. Within 5–6 days, a healthy fertilised egg should divide into a blastocyst.
Transfer usually happens on day 5 or 6 after retrieval — or transfer may be delayed, with embryos frozen through a process called vitrification for future use.
Success with ICSI depends on egg quality, sperm quality, age, and how embryos develop in the lab — so no honest clinic can promise a single number for everyone. What we can promise is realistic, transparent guidance based on your own situation, and a clear conversation about your chances before you begin.
Understanding what influences ICSI success helps you and your specialist plan realistically. The main factors:
Egg quality and quantity naturally decline with age, especially after 35.
Healthier, more mature eggs are more likely to fertilise and develop well.
Even with ICSI, healthier sperm generally means better outcomes.
How well the fertilised egg develops in the lab matters for transfer.
A receptive uterine lining is essential for implantation.
Weight, smoking, alcohol and stress all play a role — and many are within your control.
Your specialist reviews all of these together to give you an honest, personalised picture.
Fertility care that combines medical expertise, careful monitoring, and compassionate support.
A skilled team specialised in reproductive medicine.
Scans and dose adjustments guided at every step.
Your treatment designed around your body and diagnosis.
Support at every step of your journey.
KK Nagar & Mylapore, with flexible scheduling.
These treatments are steps on the same path — the right one depends on your diagnosis. Your specialist recommends whichever gives you the best realistic chance.
Prepared sperm is placed directly into the uterus at the right moment. Often combined with ovulation induction when sperm needs a little help getting there.
Eggs and sperm are combined in the lab and left to fertilise naturally, then a healthy embryo is placed in the uterus.
A single sperm is injected directly into each egg. Recommended when sperm count, movement, or shape make natural fertilisation difficult, or after a previous IVF fertilisation attempt did not succeed.
Many couples move to ICSI when sperm-related factors need extra help — we will always explain why it is the right step for you.
This is exactly why we monitor so closely — your scans and lab updates let us adjust as we go. Please call us any time you are unsure, or if anything does not feel right.
Bring these to your consultation — we welcome open, honest conversations.
Book a consultation at Kanaa Fertility, Chennai — KK Nagar & Mylapore. Honest, personalised guidance at every step.
