What is Intracytoplasmic morphologically selected sperm injection (IMSI)?

Intracytoplasmic morphologically selected sperm injection (IMSI) is a technique used in IVF treatment to examine and select sperm using a high-magnification digital imaging microscope for microinjection into the egg.

With the IMSI technique, our scientists are better able to assess the structure of the sperm and exclude the sperm with suspected variations from being injected into the available eggs.

Why perform IMSI?

For men with high numbers of abnormal sperm and previous poor outcomes in IVF with ICSI, an enhanced selection tool may improve likelihood of fertilisation and normal embryo development.

Using digital high-magnification of sperm our scientists can examine the individual sperm at 6,000 times magnification to identify the sperm that exhibit abnormalities and exclude them from being used to fertilise the egg. The sperm that are identified as being structurally normal are then used in the fertilisation procedure using the ICSI method.

In comparison, traditional methods of selecting sperm involve our scientists assessing sperm for any visible abnormalities at 400 times magnification and selecting the most normal looking sperm to microinject into the egg.

Who is IMSI suitable for?

Your IVF fertility specialist may recommend IMSI if:

• you have very low numbers of sperm, and
• a high proportion of abnormally shaped sperm, or
• evidence of poor outcomes with previous ICSI treatments