Progress of IVF
Test tube baby technology is one of the important achievements of modern reproductive medicine, which makes many infertile couples realize their dream of becoming parents. With the continuous development of science and technology, IVF technology is also constantly updated and improved, which can be divided into several generations. Each generation of IVF technology has its own characteristics and changes.
First generation IVF
The first generation of IVF technology began in the late 1970s, and the world's first IVF baby, Louis Brown, was born in 1978. At that time, IVF technology was mainly in vitro fertilization and successful transfer of fertilized eggs into the mother. However, due to the immaturity and limitation of technology, the success rate of the first generation IVF is low, accompanied by a high abortion rate and deformity rate. In addition, the first generation of IVF is an expensive technology for infertile couples, and only a few people can afford it.
In China, Peking Union Medical College Hospital is one of the earliest hospitals to carry out IVF technology. In 1988, Peking Union Medical College Hospital successfully performed the first test tube baby transplant in China.
Second generation IVF
The second generation of IVF technology appeared in 1981, which is representative of the use of stimulants and the popularization of IVF technology. The success rate of IVF can be increased by using stimulants to promote the ovary to produce more eggs. In addition, the second generation of IVF technology also introduces the technology of embryo culture, which can be cultured in vitro for a period of time to select the best quality embryos for transplantation. The success rate and fertility rate of this generation of IVF technology have significantly improved.
Shanghai Long March Hospital is one of the earliest hospitals to carry out IVF technology in China, and successfully implemented the first IVF transplantation operation in China in 1990.
Third generation IVF
The third generation of IVF technology originated at the beginning of this century, and its representative is the application of single embryo transfer and embryo screening technology. Because the second generation IVF technology is easy to lead to multiple pregnancies, increasing the risk of pregnant women and fetuses, the third generation IVF technology advocates single embryo transfer to reduce the probability of multiple pregnancies. In addition, the emergence of embryo screening technology can detect abnormal genetic diseases of embryos and avoid embryo transfer with genetic disease risk.
Ruijin Hospital affiliated to Shanghai Jiaotong University is one of the first hospitals in China to carry out the third-generation IVF technology. In 2010, the first IVF transplantation operation in China was successfully carried out, and a pair of healthy twins were born.
The fourth generation of IVF
The fourth generation of IVF technology refers to the latest IVF technology, which is representative of the application of embryonic gene editing technology. Embryo gene editing technology allows scientists to precisely modify the genetic genes carried by embryos to eliminate the risk of genetic diseases. This technology is still in the experimental stage, but its potential is huge, and it is expected to provide better choices for infertile couples.
To sum up, with the development of IVF technology, each generation has its own breakthrough and change from the first generation to the fourth generation. The progress of these technologies has brought new hope and opportunities to couples who aspire to become parents but face infertility problems.
Summary
IVF technology can be divided into the first generation to the fourth generation, each generation has its unique characteristics and breakthroughs. The first generation of IVF was born in the late 1970s. Although the success rate is low, it marks the beginning of IVF. The second generation of IVF introduced activator and embryo culture technology, which improved the success rate. The third generation of IVF emphasizes single embryo transfer and embryo screening technology, which reduces the risk of multiple pregnancies and genetic diseases. The fourth generation of IVF is the latest technology. Embryonic gene editing technology is expected to eliminate the risk of genetic diseases. With the development of new technology, IVF has brought new hope to infertile couples.
