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Intracytoplasmic sperm injection, or ICSI, is a form of in vitro fertilization. That means the egg is fertilized outside the body. First, egg cells are harvested. Then they're placed in a special media in a laboratory dish.

Within a few hours, a sperm is injected through a fine needle into the center of an egg. If successful, the cell will divide and form the first stages of an embryo.

Typically, several eggs are harvested and fertilized at the same time. Then they're placed in the uterus. This increases the chance one will implant and become a successful pregnancy.

Review Date: 3/31/2024
Reviewed By: LaQuita Martinez, MD, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Emory Johns Creek Hospital, Alpharetta, GA. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
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