Fertility Decoded

IMSI (high-magnification sperm selection)

Selecting sperm under very high magnification before ICSI.

Written by Fertility Decoded. Reviewed by D R, MS (OBG), FRM. Review date: 31 August 2026.

The verdict

Not shown to improve outcomes.

Who are these bodies?

HFEA
— UK fertility regulator; rates add-ons by evidence (traffic-light).
ESHRE
— European fertility society; evidence-based practice guidance.
NICE
— UK health-guidance body; what the NHS will and won't fund.
ISAR
— Indian Society for Assisted Reproduction; Indian expert consensus.
Cochrane
— Independent global reviewers of the underlying studies.

  • HFEA

    UK regulator

    Grey — insufficient evidence — chance of a baby
    Source

  • ESHRE

    European society

    Not for routine use

    Not recommended for routine clinical use.

    Source

  • NICE

    UK NHS guidance

    Not addressed

    Not addressed in NG257.

  • ISAR

    Indian society

    Needs robust RCTs

    Need robust RCTs to suggest use; very low-quality evidence in support.

    Source

  • Cochrane

    Evidence base

    No Cochrane review identified specifically for this add-on.

Typical cost in India

Charged as an advanced-lab add-on, ~₹15,000–40,000 (varies; often bundled).

Sources

Take this further

Sources last reviewed .