intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI)

Introduction

May successfully impregnate eggs harvested from female partners.

Clinical significance

• this technique has permitted men with severe sperm abnormalities, extremely low sperm counts, or both, to father children

Procedure

• injection of a single motile sperm (or immature spermatid) directly into an oocyte

Complications

• 3.5% risk of abnormal karyotype in offspring
• 2-fold risk in major birth defects

More general terms

• in vitro fertilization (IVF)

Additional terms

• assisted reproduction technology (ART)
• infertility