Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection Techniques in Reproductive Biology

Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI) is a micromanipulation procedure in which a single spermatozoon is directly delivered into the cytoplasm of a mature oocyte to achieve fertilisation. Since its inception, ICSI has revolutionised human assisted reproduction, offering solutions for severe male factor infertility and poor semen quality. The technique has been adapted to a range of mammalian species, from bovine and porcine models to rodents, enabling both agricultural breeding programmes and fundamental studies of embryonic development. Key innovations include refinements in oocyte activation protocols—using chemical or electrical stimuli to trigger completion of meiosis—and the development of specialised micromanipulation instruments to reduce cellular trauma. Recent research also probes the long-term epigenetic and transgenerational consequences of ICSI, informing both clinical practice and animal welfare considerations. Efforts to automate and standardise the procedure through microfabricated devices and high-throughput platforms aim to enhance reproducibility, decrease operator dependence and improve embryo viability across diverse species.

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Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection Techniques in Reproductive Biology publication trend

The graph below shows the total number of articles in intracytoplasmic sperm injection techniques in reproductive biology across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).

Technical terms

Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI): A micromanipulation technique in which one sperm is injected directly into an oocyte’s cytoplasm to achieve fertilisation.

Oocyte activation: The process of stimulating a fertilised oocyte to complete meiosis and initiate embryonic development, often by chemical or electrical means.

Micromanipulator: A precision instrument that enables controlled movement of micro-tools under a microscope for cellular injections.

Blastocyst: The stage of embryo development, typically five to six days post-fertilisation, characterised by an inner cell mass and fluid-filled cavity.

Microfabrication: The construction of microscopic structures—such as Pods, Garages or microwell arrays—using methods like two-photon polymerisation to standardise biological manipulations.

References

1. Intracytoplasmic sperm injection induces transgenerational abnormalities in mice. Journal of Clinical Investigation (2023).
2. Combined Exogenous Activation of Bovine Oocytes: Effects on Maturation-Promoting Factor, Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases, and Embryonic Competence. International Journal of Molecular Sciences (2023).
3. Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection in Cattle. Genes (2021).
4. Evaluation of the effect of piezo‐intracytoplasmic sperm injection on the laboratory, clinical, and neonatal outcomes. Reproductive Medicine and Biology (2020).
5. Fabrication on the microscale: a two-photon polymerized device for oocyte microinjection. Journal of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics (2022).
6. A micro-fabricated device (microICSI) improves porcine blastocyst development and procedural efficiency for both porcine intracytoplasmic sperm injection and human microinjection. Journal of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics (2024).