Rescue ICSI is the practice of injecting sperm directly into eggs that show no sign of fertilisation after conventional IVF insemination, usually performed a few hours later on the same day as the original attempt. It is intended to give eggs a further chance of fertilising within the same cycle. Because the eggs are already older by the time rescue ICSI is performed, resulting embryos may develop on a different timeline, and clinics vary in whether and when they offer this approach. It is a clinical decision made with the embryology team based on what is seen at the fertilisation check.
Also known as: rescue intracytoplasmic sperm injection
Sources
- ICMR Standard Treatment Workflows (icmr.gov.in/standard-treatment-workflows-stws)
Last reviewed: 9 September 2026. Written by the Antega Editorial Team. General information only — always follow the advice of your own clinic, doctor or pharmacist.