IVF OR INVITROFERTILISATION OR ASSISTED REPRODUCTIVE TECHNELOGY – is a process where oocyte from female and sperm from male are fertilised in lab outside the body . It is a complex process that involve retrival of egg from ovaries and manual combining of sperm in a lab for fertilisation. Few days after fertilisation the ferilised egg get converted into embryo which later on get transferd to mothe womb for further implantation and growth into further life form. So ivf process has 5 steps- 1) Boost the female ovaries to produces more egg called as super ovulation 2) Removal of egg from the ovaries 3) collect sperm from male partner 4) manually combining of best sperm with best egg 5) transfer of embryo into the uterus .
1. Ovarian Stimulation
Objective:
Stimulate the ovaries to produce multiple eggs, increasing the chances of successful fertilization.
Procedure:
- Medications: The woman takes fertility medications (gonadotropins) for 8-14 days to stimulate the ovaries.
- Monitoring: Regular blood tests and ultrasounds monitor hormone levels and the development of ovarian follicles.
- Trigger Shot: Once the follicles reach the appropriate size, an injection of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) is administered to mature the eggs in preparation for retrieval.
2. Egg Retrieval
Objective:
Collect mature eggs from the ovaries for fertilization.
Procedure:
- Timing: Egg retrieval occurs 34-36 hours after the hCG trigger shot.
- Procedure: Using ultrasound guidance, a thin needle is inserted through the vaginal wall to reach the ovaries. The eggs are aspirated from the follicles.
- Anesthesia: The procedure is usually done under mild sedation or anesthesia to minimize discomfort.
3. Sperm Collection and Preparation
Objective:
Collect and prepare sperm for fertilization.
Procedure:
- Collection: The male partner provides a semen sample on the same day as egg retrieval. In some cases, sperm may be extracted surgically or obtained from a donor.
- Preparation: The sperm sample is processed to select the healthiest, most motile sperm. This often involves washing and concentrating the sperm.
4. Fertilization and Embryo Culture
Objective:
Fertilize the eggs with sperm and culture the resulting embryos.
Procedure:
- Insemination: The eggs are mixed with sperm in a controlled laboratory environment. Alternatively, intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) may be used, where a single sperm is injected directly into an egg.
- Culture: Fertilized eggs (zygotes) are cultured in an incubator for 3-5 days. During this period, embryologists monitor their development and select the best-quality embryos for transfer.
5. Embryo Transfer
Objective:
Transfer the selected embryos into the woman’s uterus for implantation and pregnancy.
Procedure:
- Preparation: The woman’s uterine lining is prepared with hormonal medications to optimize conditions for implantation.
- Transfer: A selected embryo (or embryos) is loaded into a thin catheter and gently placed into the uterus. The procedure is typically painless and does not require anesthesia.
- Post-Transfer: The woman may be prescribed medications like progesterone to support implantation and early pregnancy.
