In vitro fertilization

In Vitro Fertilization

In vitro fertilization (IVF) is a complex series of procedures used to assist with the conception of a child. It is a type of assisted reproductive technology (ART) that involves retrieving eggs from a woman's ovaries and fertilizing them with sperm in a laboratory. The fertilized egg (embryo) is then transferred to a woman's uterus.

History

The first successful birth of a child conceived through IVF, Louise Brown, occurred in 1978 in the United Kingdom. This groundbreaking procedure was developed by Robert Edwards and Patrick Steptoe, who were awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 2010 for their work.

Procedure

The IVF process involves several steps:

Ovarian Stimulation

The first step in IVF is stimulating the ovaries to produce multiple eggs. This is achieved through the administration of gonadotropins, which are hormones that stimulate the ovaries. The development of the eggs is monitored through ultrasound and blood tests.

Egg Retrieval

Once the eggs are mature, they are retrieved from the ovaries using a procedure called transvaginal ultrasound aspiration. This is a minor surgical procedure performed under sedation.

Fertilization

The retrieved eggs are then mixed with sperm in a laboratory setting. Fertilization can occur through conventional insemination or through intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), where a single sperm is injected directly into an egg.

Embryo Culture

The fertilized eggs are cultured in a laboratory for several days. During this time, they develop into embryos. The embryos are monitored for quality and development.

Embryo Transfer

One or more embryos are transferred to the woman's uterus. This is done using a thin catheter inserted through the cervix. The number of embryos transferred depends on various factors, including the woman's age and the quality of the embryos.

Pregnancy Test

About two weeks after the embryo transfer, a pregnancy test is performed to determine if the procedure was successful.

Success Rates

The success rates of IVF vary depending on several factors, including the age of the woman, the cause of infertility, and the specific techniques used. Generally, younger women have higher success rates.

Risks and Complications

IVF is generally safe, but it does carry some risks, including:

• Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS)
• Multiple pregnancies
• Ectopic pregnancy
• Birth defects

Ethical and Legal Considerations

IVF raises several ethical and legal issues, such as the status of unused embryos, the use of donor eggs or sperm, and the potential for preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD).

Also see

• Assisted reproductive technology
• Intracytoplasmic sperm injection
• Preimplantation genetic diagnosis
• Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome