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In
vitro fertilization was first successfully performed
in England followed by success in the United States
at the Jones Institute for Reproductive Medicine.
Originally, IVF was considered "experimental"
but now it is an accepted first line treatment for
many infertile couples.
In
vitro fertilization literally translates to "fertilization
outside of the body" because fertilization occurs
in the laboratory. Numerous eggs must be produced
to insure fertilization and progression to the embryo
stage; therefore, medications such as FSH are administered. These products directly stimulate
the ovaries causing egg recruitment. FSH also supports
the eggs growth and development.
Retrieval
is timed to occur at the optimal stage of egg development.
The eggs are usually retrieved using a small "catheter"
pasted transvaginally guided by ultrasound. This procedure
is usually performed under mild sedation and is associated
with minor discomfort. One collected the eggs are
separated from the aspirated fluid, identified, and
isolated, and placed in specially prepared media.
The
male produces an ejaculate immediately prior to the
egg retrieval which is collected, specially prepared,
and placed in the culture dish with the eggs. Sometimes ICSI is used to insert a single sperm directly into
the egg. After fertilization, the fertilized eggs
are placed in an incubator usually for 3 to 5 days.
Five
day embryos are know as blastocysts. Once mature, the
eggs are transferred back into the uterus where implantation
in the endometrium occurs.
In vitro fertilization offers hope to couples who could
not otherwise produce a genetically related child. It
is effective in treating women with blocked, damaged,
or absent tubes and in treating male factor infertility.
IVF is often uses in case of unknown causes of infertility.
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