ICSI Treatment in Hyderabad — Complete Guide to Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection

ICSI — Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection — has transformed the treatment of male infertility and revolutionised IVF outcomes worldwide since its introduction in 1992. Today, ICSI is performed in the majority of IVF cycles globally, and at Mother Hospitals & IVF Center in Boduppal, Hyderabad, it is a routine part of our advanced fertility programme.

If you or your partner have been told you need ICSI, this guide will help you understand exactly what it involves, why it is recommended, and what you can expect during treatment with Dr. E. Prashanthi Reddy and our team.

What Is ICSI? Understanding the Procedure

In conventional IVF, a large number of sperm are placed in a dish with eggs, and fertilisation occurs naturally when a sperm successfully penetrates and fertilises an egg. This requires sperm to be present in adequate numbers and to have sufficient motility and morphology to complete fertilisation unaided.

ICSI bypasses this natural selection process entirely. Using a highly specialised micromanipulation system and a glass needle (micropipette) thinner than a human hair, the embryologist selects a single healthy-looking sperm and injects it directly into the cytoplasm of each mature egg. The result is the same — a fertilised egg (zygote) that can develop into an embryo — but ICSI can achieve this even with very few, poorly motile, or surgically retrieved sperm.

When Is ICSI Recommended?

Dr. Prashanthi Reddy recommends ICSI in the following situations:

Male Factor Infertility

• Oligospermia: Low sperm count (below 5–10 million/mL total motile sperm)
• Severe asthenospermia: Very poor sperm motility
• Teratospermia: Mostly abnormally shaped sperm
• Azoospermia: No sperm in the ejaculate — sperm retrieved via TESA/PESA are used with ICSI
• High DNA fragmentation: Significant DNA damage in sperm affecting fertilisation

Previous IVF Failure

• Low or failed fertilisation in a previous conventional IVF cycle
• Recurrent IVF failure where fertilisation rate was suboptimal

Frozen or Surgically Retrieved Sperm

Sperm that has been previously frozen (cryopreserved) or surgically retrieved from the testis or epididymis (TESA/PESA) is almost always used with ICSI, as the numbers and motility available may be limited.

Very Few Eggs Retrieved

When only a small number of mature eggs are retrieved (particularly common in women with low ovarian reserve or low AMH), ICSI ensures maximum fertilisation efficiency rather than leaving fertilisation to chance.

The ICSI Procedure — Step by Step

The ICSI procedure is part of an overall IVF cycle. Here is the complete process at Mother Hospitals:

Step 1: Ovarian Stimulation (Days 1–12)

The female partner receives daily hormone injections (FSH, with or without LH) to stimulate the ovaries to produce multiple follicles containing eggs. Regular monitoring with ultrasound and blood tests tracks follicle development. At Mother Hospitals, our Needleless IVF protocol uses an oral medication approach to stimulation for patients who wish to avoid daily injections.

Step 2: Trigger Shot and Egg Retrieval (OPU)

When follicles reach the right size (18–20 mm), a trigger injection (hCG or GnRH agonist) is given to mature the eggs. Approximately 36 hours later, eggs are retrieved under sedation using a thin ultrasound-guided needle passed through the vaginal wall into each follicle.

Step 3: Sperm Collection

On the day of egg retrieval, the male partner provides a semen sample. If azoospermia is present or sperm are being used from a previous freeze, TESA or PESA may be performed on the same day.

Step 4: ICSI Fertilisation

In our embryology laboratory, mature eggs (MII oocytes) are identified. The embryologist then uses a micromanipulation system to inject a single selected sperm into each mature egg. This process takes 1–2 hours and is performed the same day as egg retrieval. Each egg is assessed for normal fertilisation the following morning (the presence of two pronuclei confirms successful fertilisation).

Step 5: Embryo Culture (Days 1–5)

Fertilised eggs are cultured in the incubator for 3–5 days. On day 5, the embryos are assessed for blastocyst development. Blastocyst-stage embryos have the highest implantation potential. Grading is based on cell number, symmetry, fragmentation, and inner cell mass quality.

Step 6: Embryo Transfer

One or two of the best-quality embryos are selected and transferred into the uterus through a thin catheter — a painless procedure similar to a Pap smear. Remaining embryos of good quality can be frozen (vitrification) for future transfers.

ICSI vs. Conventional IVF — Key Differences

It is worth noting that in many clinics, ICSI has become the default for nearly all IVF cycles due to its higher and more predictable fertilisation rate. At Mother Hospitals, we discuss with each couple whether conventional insemination, ICSI, or a split (some eggs conventionally inseminated, some ICSI) is the best approach for their specific situation.

ICSI Success Rates in Hyderabad

ICSI fertilisation rates are typically 70–80% per mature egg injected. However, success ultimately depends on:

• The age of the female partner (egg quality is the single biggest factor)
• The number and quality of eggs retrieved
• Underlying cause of infertility
• Embryo quality after culture
• Uterine receptivity at the time of transfer

At Mother Hospitals, our overall pregnancy rates per embryo transfer are benchmarked against ICMR national standards. You can review our IVF success rate guide for more context on age-specific outcomes.

ICSI Cost in Hyderabad — 2026

At Mother Hospitals & IVF Center, the ICSI procedure is included within our all-inclusive IVF package of ₹99,000 (valid till 30 June 2026). This package covers:

• All pre-cycle consultation and investigations
• Ovarian stimulation injections
• Monitoring ultrasounds and blood tests
• Egg retrieval (OPU) under sedation
• ICSI fertilisation in the embryology laboratory
• Embryo culture up to blastocyst stage
• Embryo transfer
• Post-transfer luteal support medications

There are no hidden charges. For a detailed cost breakdown, see our IVF cost guide.

Dr. E. Prashanthi Reddy

MBBS, DGO, PG Diploma in ART — Kiel University, Germany | 19+ years as a Fertility Specialist | ART Act 2021 Certified | Lead Consultant, Mother Hospitals & IVF Center, Boduppal, Hyderabad

Frequently Asked Questions