Step-by-Step Guide to PICSI in IVF Treatment

Thanks to the latest tech breakthroughs, fertility clinics now offer treatments that are more precise and successful than ever before. One of these newer options is called PICSI, short for Physiological Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection. This method builds on the classic ICSI procedure by letting doctors spot the healthiest sperm, making it especially useful for couples facing male infertility issues. By combining meticulous science with cutting-edge technology, PICSI is providing many couples with new hope as they proceed with IVF, while also considering the cost of IVF treatment in India.

In the sections that follow, we'll explain what PICSI involves, show you how the procedure unfolds day by day, and discuss why the technique is essential in India's rapidly growing fertility market.

So, what exactly is PICSI, and how does it differ from the traditional ICSI method? Put simply, PICSI is a more innovative twist on ICSI, which takes one sperm and injects it straight into a mature egg. Instead of judging sperm just by how they look under a microscope, PICSI also checks whether each sperm can stick to hyaluronan, a gooey substance that mimics the coating around a real egg.

Key Differences Between PICSI and ICSI:

Sperm Selection

ICSI traditionally selects sperm by examining basic traits, such as shape, size, and swimming ability, so the doctor can observe each cell gently and then inject it directly into an egg. In contrast, PICSI checks an additional quality by observing which sperm adhere to a special gel made of hyaluronan, the same substance surrounding a living egg; only those that attach with the right strength proceed to the next step.

Success Rates

Because sperm that bind this way tend to have cleaner DNA, clinics often report more fertilised eggs, stronger embryos, and higher chances of lasting pregnancies after the PICSI filter is used. The technique is beneficial when men's sperm health is weak, whether because they swim slowly, show low overall numbers, or carry too much broken genetic material.

Step-by-Step Breakdown of the PICSI Process

Now, let's see what happens in the lab during a typical PICSI cycle. The plan follows a regular IVF calendar, yet instead of picking sperm by eye alone, the embryos grow off a tray loaded with the sticky hyaluronan gel. 

Step 1: Ovarian Stimulation and Egg Retrieval

Before attention turns to the sperm, doctors still follow the IVF routine that gets the woman ready for fertilisation. Hormones are given over about ten days to coax several follicles to ripen around mature eggs. Then, a short day-surgery lifts the eggs from the ovaries, and they are handed to lab staff who clean and watch them until sperm arrive.

Step 2: Sperm Collection

When egg retrieval day arrives, the male partner is asked to give a fresh semen sample, which is quickly checked for sperm quality. If he has serious fertility issues, doctors might remove sperm directly from the testicles through a minor surgery called TESA, or Testicular Sperm Aspiration.

Step 3: Sperm Selection Using a Hyaluronan-Binding Dish

At this point, the procedure diverges from the standard ICSI. A dish lined with hyaluronan, the sugar to which sperm naturally adhere, becomes the primary selection tool. First, the semen is cleaned to remove debris and sluggish sperm. Then the washed sample is gently spread across the hyaluronan-covered dish—only mature sperm with strong DNA bind to the coating.

Lab staff watch under the microscope, select the best candidates, and move them forward for fertilising the eggs.

By selecting these high-quality cells, the team aims to reduce the risk of genetic issues later on.

Step 4: Egg Fertilisation

After selection, a single chosen sperm is sucked into a slender glass needle and carefully injected into the center of one mature egg.

This hands-on, one-at-a-time approach allows doctors to have tight control over fertilisation.

Step 5: Embryo Culture 

Shortly after fertilisation, developing embryos are overseen in the lab for 3 to 5 days. During this time, any embryos that exhibit irregular growth are set aside, allowing only the healthiest to proceed to the next phase.

Step 6: Embryo Transfer

The best embryos are chosen and gently placed in the woman's uterus. A soft catheter passes through the cervix, making the transfer quick, easy, and low-risk.

Step 7: Pregnancy Test and Follow-Up

Two weeks late, a simple blood draw checks for early pregnancy hormones. If the test is positive, doctors closely monitor the pregnancy during the sensitive first weeks.

Benefits of PICSI during IVF Treatments

PICSI brings a set of advantages that appeal to couples facing male infertility or repeated IVF attempts—here's why fertility clinics are increasingly recommending it to their patients.

Better Sperm Selection Because hyaluronan mimics a natural mucus in a woman's body, it helps pick out only healthy, mobile sperm. This step reduces the likelihood that the fertilised egg will have genetic abnormalities or fail to implant.

Higher Fertilisation Rates Targeting the best sperm leads to more eggs being fertilised, so PICSI often beats standard ICSI in success numbers.

Enhancing Embryo Quality: Using carefully selected, healthy sperm helps form stronger embryos and also boosts the odds of a successful pregnancy.

Reducing Genetic Risk. Sperm with damaged DNA tend not to bond well with hyaluronan. By filtering for better sperm, PICSI minimises the likelihood of genetic issues in the embryo.

Meeting Male Infertility Needs PICSI suits couples whose male partner battles high DNA breakage, slow-moving sperm, or multiple IVF attempts that did not work.

Relevance of PICSI in India. As infertility rates climb, Indian clinics see more demand for ART procedures like IVF. Later marriages, busy city lives, and greater talk about reproductive health fuel that increase.

PICSI matters in India for several reasons. Research shows that male issues cause 30 to 40 per cent of infertility in the country. By zeroing in on sperm quality, PICSI directly helps these couples conceive.

Rising Talk of Modern Fertility Options

As IVF patients keep growing in big cities and smaller towns, more couples now hear about cutting-edge methods like PICSI.

Budget-Friendly Home Care

Indian clinics bundle PICSI into IVF plans at costs significantly lower than those abroad, making the service more accessible to a broader segment of the population.

Community Expectations

Many couples feel pressured by family and social expectations to conceive, and they welcome anything that promises a better success rate. PICSI fits that hope.

Is PICSI Right for You?

Despite its promise, deciding if PICSI suits you still depends on your picture. Couples facing male factor issues, repeated IVF failures, or weak embryos tend to benefit most. Yet age, egg quality, and the woman's overall reproductive health also weigh heavily in that call.

Final Thoughts

PICSI represents an exciting development in IVF, giving new optimism to couples grappling with male fertility issues. By isolating the most potent sperm for treatment, the approach boosts fertilisation rates, embryo quality, and the chances of success. If youre contemplating IVF or have seen previous cycles fall short, adding PICSI to your plan is worth thinking about.
Consult with a fertility specialist you trust at an IVF hospital in Udaipur to learn how PICSI works and determine if it is suitable for your situation. Taking that simple step could move you closer to the family you've always wanted.