PICSI Treatment Centre

PICSI (Physiological Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection) is an advanced fertility technique that helps embryologists select the healthiest and most mature sperm for fertilization. Unlike traditional ICSI, which uses random sperm, PICSI uses a natural substance called hyaluronan to identify sperm that are fully matured and likely to create healthier embryos. This process enhances fertilization quality and boosts the chances of successful pregnancy. It’s especially beneficial for couples experiencing repeated IVF failures or male-factor infertility.

While both procedures involve injecting a single sperm into an egg, the major difference lies in how the sperm is selected. In ICSI, sperm are chosen based on appearance and motility, but PICSI goes further by using hyaluronan to identify mature sperm that have completed natural development. These mature sperm have fewer DNA abnormalities and higher fertilization potential, resulting in improved embryo quality and increased success rates for couples undergoing IVF treatment.

PICSI is particularly helpful for couples with unexplained infertility, repeated IVF or ICSI failures, or known male-factor issues such as low sperm count, motility, or morphology. It is also ideal for patients where sperm DNA fragmentation is high. By ensuring only mature and genetically stable sperm are used, PICSI improves embryo viability and reduces miscarriage risks. It offers a more physiological approach to conception for couples who have struggled to achieve pregnancy through conventional IVF.

Yes, PICSI is completely safe and widely practiced in advanced fertility centres. The process does not harm the sperm, eggs, or embryos in any way. It simply allows embryologists to select sperm naturally capable of binding to hyaluronan, a compound already found in the female reproductive system. Because it uses biocompatible materials and sterile lab environments, the procedure is non-invasive, risk-free, and enhances embryo quality without affecting the safety of the IVF process.

In PICSI, sperm are placed in a special dish coated with hyaluronan, a natural substance present in the outer layer of the egg. Only mature, functional sperm with complete DNA integrity can bind to it. These selected sperm are then carefully injected into the eggs during fertilization. This process helps embryologists choose the best-quality sperm, ensuring higher fertilization rates, better embryo development, and increased chances of a healthy pregnancy outcome.

Yes, PICSI helps reduce the likelihood of chromosomal and DNA abnormalities in embryos. By using only mature sperm capable of binding to hyaluronan, the technique naturally filters out sperm with damaged or incomplete DNA. This decreases the risk of fertilization with defective sperm and leads to healthier embryos. While it cannot completely eliminate genetic disorders, combining PICSI with preimplantation genetic testing (PGT) can further enhance embryo selection and promote healthy pregnancies.

No, PICSI is entirely painless for both partners. The sperm selection process occurs in the laboratory and does not require any invasive procedure for the male partner. The female partner undergoes standard IVF steps like egg retrieval, which are performed under mild anesthesia. Overall, PICSI adds precision to the IVF process without causing any discomfort, pain, or additional recovery time for patients.

The PICSI procedure is performed on the same day as egg collection during an IVF cycle and typically takes just a few hours. The sperm selection step itself only requires a short time, as embryologists quickly identify and isolate the sperm that bind to hyaluronan. Once selected, these sperm are immediately used for fertilization through ICSI. The entire process is efficient, safe, and seamlessly integrated into the IVF workflow.

Yes, multiple studies have shown that PICSI increases implantation and pregnancy rates by improving embryo quality. Because only mature sperm with intact DNA are used, the embryos formed are more viable and have better developmental potential. This reduces the chances of miscarriage and enhances overall success rates of IVF. Many couples who previously experienced failed IVF cycles have achieved positive results after including PICSI in their treatment plan.

Absolutely. PICSI is highly recommended for couples who have experienced failed IVF or ICSI attempts due to poor embryo quality or implantation issues. By selecting genetically healthier sperm, PICSI addresses one of the most common hidden causes of IVF failure—sperm DNA damage. It increases the chances of creating robust embryos that implant successfully, giving couples renewed hope for achieving pregnancy after earlier disappointments.

The success rate of PICSI treatment varies depending on individual conditions but is generally higher than traditional ICSI. Studies suggest that PICSI can improve embryo development and increase clinical pregnancy rates by up to 10–20%. Factors such as female age, egg quality, and overall fertility health also influence success. However, for couples facing male infertility or repeated IVF failures, PICSI significantly enhances the likelihood of a successful outcome.

PICSI is not mandatory for every IVF cycle but is particularly beneficial for couples facing male-factor infertility, poor embryo quality, or previous IVF failures. Your fertility specialist will evaluate your medical history, sperm parameters, and previous results before recommending PICSI. For patients with normal sperm health and no prior complications, traditional ICSI may suffice. However, PICSI offers an added level of precision and safety for selected cases.

Yes, PICSI can be easily combined with other assisted reproductive technologies like ICSI, PGT (Preimplantation Genetic Testing), or embryo freezing. This combination enhances fertilization accuracy and ensures only the healthiest embryos are transferred. Many fertility centres integrate PICSI with advanced culture systems and genetic testing for comprehensive embryo selection, ultimately improving the chances of a successful pregnancy and reducing miscarriage risk.

PICSI adds a small additional cost to the standard IVF cycle, mainly for the special sperm selection dish and lab procedures. However, the long-term benefits often outweigh the expense. By improving embryo quality and pregnancy rates, PICSI may reduce the need for multiple IVF attempts, saving both time and cost. Most clinics offer affordable PICSI packages to make this advanced technology accessible for couples seeking better IVF outcomes.

PICSI is a laboratory-based, non-invasive process with minimal to no risks. It does not involve any surgical procedure or physical interference with the couple. The technique uses biocompatible materials, so there are no allergic reactions or adverse effects. In fact, it enhances embryo quality by selecting healthy sperm. The only consideration is that not all sperm samples contain many hyaluronan-binding sperm, which may limit the number available for selection in rare cases.

PICSI is incorporated during the fertilization stage of IVF. After egg retrieval, sperm samples are placed in the hyaluronan-coated dish to identify mature sperm capable of binding. These selected sperm are then injected directly into the eggs using ICSI. The remaining steps—embryo culture, transfer, and pregnancy testing—proceed as usual. Thus, PICSI enhances the IVF process by improving sperm selection without altering the overall treatment timeline.

While PICSI significantly improves embryo quality and success rates, it does not guarantee pregnancy. Many factors—such as egg health, uterine condition, and hormonal balance—affect implantation and outcomes. However, using PICSI increases the probability of success, especially for couples with sperm-related infertility or previous IVF failures. It offers a scientifically backed, reliable way to improve fertilization results and reduce early miscarriage risk.

Fertility specialists recommend PICSI after evaluating the couple’s medical history, semen analysis, and previous IVF outcomes. If the sperm sample shows poor morphology, motility, or DNA fragmentation, or if there have been recurrent IVF failures, PICSI may be advised. The decision is personalized, focusing on improving embryo quality and achieving a successful pregnancy outcome with the least number of treatment cycles.

Yes, PICSI can be performed using donor sperm. In such cases, the donor sample undergoes the same selection process to ensure only mature, healthy sperm are used for fertilization. This approach enhances embryo quality and minimizes the risk of genetic abnormalities, providing additional reassurance to recipients using donor sperm in their IVF treatment plan.

PICSI offers several advantages over conventional sperm selection methods. It identifies mature sperm with intact DNA, leading to better fertilization, embryo development, and implantation rates. The process reduces chromosomal abnormalities and miscarriage risks while increasing the chance of a successful, healthy pregnancy. By mimicking the body’s natural sperm-selection mechanism, PICSI ensures that only the best sperm are chosen—making it one of the most effective enhancements to modern IVF treatment.