Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) is the most commonly used and one of the most successful form of male infertility treatment. It can be used as a part of an in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatment to help your partner conceive a child. However, ICSI treatment differs from traditional IVF procedure. In the former, a single sperm is injected directly into an egg, instead of many sperms competing to fuse with the egg, as in the case with IVF.

ICSI IVF procedure involves the use of specialized micromanipulation tools and equipment. The embryologists select an individual sperm in a specially designed ICSI needle and the needle is carefully inserted through the outer shell of the egg and the egg membrane. The sperm is finally injected into the cytoplasm of the egg.

ICSI risks are the same as standard IVF process, including ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome, multiple pregnancies and ectopic pregnancy. The average ICSI cost differ from hospital to hospital and is separate from the cost of IVF.

ICSI is usually done after testicular biopsy, which is done to determine the cause of male infertility. It is done by removing a small sample of tissue from one or both testicles, which is finally looked under a microscope. Long-lasting nfection or bleeding are  the two major testicular biopsy side effects. Testicular biopsy cost may depend on the healthcare setting that you choose.