Intracytoplasmic sperm injection, or ICSI, is a major advancement in the treatment of male factor infertility, but is generally unsuccessful when used to treat fertilization failures that are primarily due to poor egg quality.
ICSI does not increase the incidence of multiple gestation as compared to standard IVF. Because ICSI is a relatively new technique for the treatment of infertility, first performed in 1992, long-term data concerning future health and fertility of children conceived through ICSI is not available.
Some studies report that the incidence of a congenital malformation called hypospadias (urethra opening occurs on the under side of the penis) is increased in babies conceived through ICSI. This is an area of ongoing investigation. Because some causes of male infertility are familial and are related to genetic problems, male offspring might have reproductive problems as adults. Despite these concerns, ICSI is a major advance in the treatment of severe infertility.