What are the steps of IVF cycle?
In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) is an assisted reproductive technology, which is suitable for couples who cannot conceive naturally. The IVF cycle includes diagnosis and evaluation, ovulation promotion, egg collection and sperm insemination, embryo culture and selection, embryo transfer and other steps.
Diagnosis and evaluation
Before the IVF cycle begins, doctors will conduct a comprehensive physical examination and fertility history inquiry for the couple to determine whether IVF technology is suitable. The doctor may make the following assessment:
1. Inspection of oviduct patency: evaluate the patency of female oviducts through drug injection or ultrasonic inspection to ensure that fertilized eggs can enter the uterus naturally through the oviducts.
2. Sperm analysis: conduct semen analysis on men to evaluate the number, vitality, morphology and other indicators of sperm.
3. Ovarian function examination: evaluate the function of female ovary through blood and ultrasonic examination to determine whether the ovary ovulates normally.
After completing these assessments, the doctor will introduce the process and risks of IVF technology to the couple in detail, and develop a treatment plan based on the assessment results.
Ovulation induction
Ovulation induction is to produce more high-quality eggs in a cycle. This stage usually includes the following steps:
1. Drug treatment: use ovulation promoting drugs, such as gonadotropin (FSH) or human chorionic gonadotropin (hMG), to stimulate ovarian ovulation.
2. Follicle monitoring: Monitor the ovarian response through ultrasonic examination and blood examination to determine the best time for egg collection.
3. Trigger ovulation: When the follicle develops to an appropriate size, the doctor will instruct women to use human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) to trigger ovulation.
The goal of ovulation induction stage is to collect enough eggs in a cycle.
Egg collection and sperm insemination
Egg collection is generally conducted 36 hours after ovulation. This process usually includes the following steps:
1. Anesthesia: Under local anesthesia or general anesthesia, the doctor uses ultrasound guidance to insert a thin tube into the uterus, puncture the ovarian follicle, and extract the fluid and follicle together.
2. Egg collection: Doctors use thin tubes to extract eggs from the ovary through the vagina. This process usually takes several minutes.
3. Sperm preparation: The collected sperm is treated with semen to separate high-quality sperm.
4. Sperm insemination: The activated sperm and egg are cultured together in a petri dish for natural fertilization or selective insemination.
Embryo culture and selection, embryo transfer
Embryo culture and selection is a key step in the IVF cycle. Under the specific conditions of the culture medium, the egg and sperm combine to form a fertilized egg. After several days of culture, the embryo is formed. Doctors will select embryos with high development potential and healthy status for transplantation.
1. Embryo culture: The fertilized egg is transferred to the culture dish and cultured under specific temperature and atmosphere conditions to promote the development of the embryo.
2. Embryo selection: Doctors select healthy embryos for transplantation by observing the morphology, cell number and development of embryos.
3. Embryo transfer: doctors use thin tubes to transfer multiple embryos into the uterus through the vagina. After transplantation, couples need to wait two weeks for pregnancy testing.
summary
The main steps of IVF cycle include diagnosis and evaluation, ovulation promotion, egg collection and sperm insemination, embryo culture and selection, embryo transfer, etc. Through these steps, science and technology enable couples who cannot conceive naturally to have more opportunities to realize their reproductive dreams.
