What Is ICSI & How Is It Different from IVF?

While both procedures aim to achieve pregnancy by fertilizing eggs outside the body, the method of fertilization and reasons for choosing each are quite different. IVF mimics natural fertilization in a laboratory setting, whereas ICSI involves the direct injection of a single sperm into an egg—making it especially helpful in cases of male infertility.
Isha Women’s Hospital, the best IVF centre of Dombivali, offers both IVF and ICSI with personalized care and state-of-the-art technology. In this blog, we’ll break down the basics of IVF and
Understanding IVF and ICSI Basics
Dr. Chinmay Pataki one of the most trusted & best fertility specialist of Dombivali at Isha Women Hospital aims to simplify these complex terms so you can make informed decisions about your journey toward parenthood.
What Is IVF?
How Does IVF Work?
- The woman’s ovaries are stimulated with medications to produce multiple mature eggs.
- These eggs are retrieved through a minor, painless procedure using ultrasound guidance.
- The male partner provides a semen sample, or frozen donor sperm may be used.
- The eggs and sperm are placed together in a lab dish, where fertilization occurs naturally—that is, the sperm swims to the egg and penetrates it on its own.
- After fertilization, the resulting embryos are cultured for a few days, and the healthiest one(s) are selected for transfer into the uterus.
IVF is especially beneficial for women with:
- Blocked or damaged fallopian tubes
- Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)
- Endometriosis
- Ovulation disorders
- Unexplained infertility
- Couples who have not conceived with simpler treatments like ovulation induction or IUI
What Is ICSI?
How ICSI Is Performed:
- After egg and sperm collection, the embryologist carefully selects individual sperm with good shape and motility.
- Using a micromanipulator, the sperm is injected straight into the cytoplasm of the egg.
- Once fertilization occurs, embryo development is closely monitored, and the best embryo is transferred into the uterus.
ICSI is typically advised when:
- The male partner has a low sperm count (oligospermia)
- Sperm shows poor motility or abnormal shape (asthenozoospermia, teratozoospermia)
- There is a history of failed fertilization in previous IVF attempts
- Sperm is retrieved through surgical techniques like TESA or Micro-TESE
- Frozen sperm or eggs are being used (where sperm may be limited)
IVF vs. ICSI: What’s the Difference?
Feature-wise Comparison: IVF vs ICSI
- Sperm Use
- IVF: Multiple sperm are placed near each egg.
- ICSI: A single healthy sperm is injected directly into each egg.
- Fertilization Process
- IVF: Fertilization occurs naturally in the lab dish.
- ICSI: Fertilization is manually performed under a microscope.
- Best Suited For
- IVF: Female infertility, unexplained infertility, tubal issues.
- ICSI: Male infertility, low sperm quality or quantity.
- Cost
- IVF: Slightly lower.
- ICSI: Slightly higher due to precision techniques.
- Risks
- IVF: Low overall.
- ICSI: Similar risks, but sperm-related concerns may be magnified.
- Success Rate
- IVF: 30–50% depending on age and egg quality.
- ICSI: Often higher in male infertility cases.
When Is ICSI Recommended?
When Should You Choose ICSI?
ICSI is not required for every IVF cycle—but it can be a game-changer in specific situations where natural fertilization may be difficult or impossible.
Here are the most common indications for choosing ICSI:
1. Severe Male Infertility
ICSI is especially helpful when the male partner has:
- Low sperm count (oligospermia)
- Poor motility (asthenozoospermia)
- Abnormal sperm shape (teratozoospermia)
2. Previous Failed IVF Attempts
If a couple has undergone IVF in the past but experienced failed fertilization, ICSI can significantly improve the outcome in subsequent attempts.
3. Fertilization Problems in Prior Cycles
Even when eggs and sperm appear normal, some couples experience unexpected fertilization failure. In such cases, switching to ICSI helps ensure that sperm is effectively introduced into the egg.
4. Using Frozen Sperm or Eggs
When either eggs or sperm have been cryopreserved, the number or quality of viable sperm may be limited. ICSI ensures that each precious egg is given the best chance to fertilize using the available sperm.
5. Undergoing PGT (Preimplantation Genetic Testing)
When couples opt for genetic screening of embryos (PGT-A/PGT-M), ICSI is typically recommended. That’s because it helps avoid contamination from additional sperm around the egg, which could affect genetic test results.
How ICSI Works: Step-by-Step
Here’s how an ICSI cycle unfolds:
- Step 1: Egg Retrieval- Just like in IVF, the woman is given fertility medications to stimulate her ovaries to produce multiple eggs. These eggs are retrieved under ultrasound guidance in a short, painless procedure.
- Step 2: Sperm Collection- The male partner provides a semen sample on the same day. If necessary, sperm can be surgically retrieved using procedures like TESA (Testicular Sperm Aspiration) or Micro-TESE. Frozen sperm samples can also be used.
- Step 3: Single Sperm Injection- A skilled embryologist examines the sperm under a microscope and selects the best one. Using advanced micromanipulation tools, this sperm is carefully injected directly into the cytoplasm of the egg.
- Step 4: Fertilization Monitoring- Fertilization is checked after 16–18 hours to see how many eggs have successfully fertilized. These are then grown into embryos in the lab over the next few days.
- Step 5: Embryo Transfer- Once embryos reach the optimal stage (usually Day 3 or Day 5), the best-quality embryo is selected and transferred into the woman’s uterus—just like in a regular IVF cycle.
Safety, Cost & Success Rates
Is ICSI Safe?
Yes, ICSI is generally considered safe, especially when performed in a well-equipped fertility center by trained embryologists. It has been used worldwide for over two decades and has helped millions of couples become parents.
However, because ICSI involves injecting a single sperm directly into the egg, there are a few important considerations:
What You Should Know:
- ICSI bypasses the body’s natural sperm selection process, which means there may be a slightly increased chance of passing on genetic abnormalities—especially if the male partner has underlying genetic issues.
- For this reason, couples with a history of severe male infertility may be advised to undergo genetic counseling or testing before proceeding.
- Numerous long-term studies have shown that children born through ICSI are just as healthy as those conceived through traditional IVF or natural conception.
ICSI Success Rate vs IVF
Age-Wise Success Rates: IVF vs ICSI
- Under 35
- IVF Success Rate: 40–50%
- ICSI Success Rate: 45–55%
- Age 35–37
- IVF Success Rate: 35–40%
- ICSI Success Rate: 40–50%
- Age 38–40
- IVF Success Rate: 25–30%
- ICSI Success Rate: 30–35%
- Age 40+
- IVF Success Rate: 10–20%
- ICSI Success Rate: 15–25%
- ICSI boosts fertilization, not embryo implantation or live birth rates.
- In cases of male factor infertility, ICSI often leads to better fertilization outcomes, which increases the chances of having healthy embryos to transfer.
- The overall success still hinges on a combination of both partners’ reproductive health.
Cost Difference Between IVF and ICSI
Typical Cost Difference in India:
- ICSI adds an additional ₹20,000 to ₹60,000 to the cost of a standard IVF cycle, depending on the clinic and services offered.
- While this may seem significant, the additional cost is justified when male infertility is a key concern, or when prior IVF cycles have failed to result in fertilization.
- Customized treatment packages based on your clinical needs
- Transparent pricing with no hidden charges
- Flexible payment plans and counseling support
Whether you’re considering IVF or ICSI, the most important step is choosing the right fertility clinic—one that combines medical expertise, cutting-edge technology, and genuine care.
At Isha Women’s Hospital Dombivali, Dr. Chinmay Pataki and our dedicated team are committed to helping you achieve your dream of parenthood. With an advanced embryology lab, experienced embryologists, and tailored fertility care, Isha Women Hospital stands as the best IVF and ICSI center in Dombivali.
Ready to take the next step? Book your consultation today at Isha Women Hospital and let us help turn your dream of having a baby into reality—with science, empathy, and care.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Ans - Not always — ICSI is better for specific cases, especially male factor infertility.
2. Can ICSI help if IVF failed before?
Ans - Yes, especially if poor fertilization was the issue.
3. Is ICSI painful or risky?
Ans - The process is the same for the patient — only the lab technique changes.
4. Does ICSI increase the chance of twins?
Ans - No, that depends on how many embryos are transferred, not the fertilization method.
5. Will my baby be normal after ICSI?
Ans - Most ICSI-conceived babies are healthy, with no higher risk of issues compared to IVF.