Has the success rate of the third generation IVF improved?
Since the first test tube baby was born in 1978, the technology of test tube baby has been developing continuously, and has experienced the improvement of the first and second generation of test tube baby technology. In recent years, the emergence of the third generation of IVF technology has aroused widespread concern. The so-called third-generation IVF technology means to further improve the success rate of IVF through new assisted reproductive technologies, such as embryo selection, sperm injection, oocyte activation and other methods. So, has the success of the third generation IVF really improved? It is discussed from the following aspects.
Progress in embryo selection technology
Embryo selection is one of the important factors to improve the success rate of IVF. In the past, embryo selection mainly relied on morphological evaluation. In the third generation of IVF, the application of gene detection technology makes embryo selection more accurate. Through genetic testing of embryos, some abnormal genes can be screened to avoid embryo transfer with hereditary diseases, thus improving the success rate of IVF.
In addition, there is a technology called PGS (Pre implantation Genetic Screening) that can be used to screen embryos with chromosome abnormalities. This technique can detect whether the embryo has abnormal chromosome number, such as trisomy syndrome. By screening healthy embryos for transplantation, the success rate of IVF can be greatly improved.
In China, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, as an authoritative medical institution, has begun to use gene detection technology for embryo selection, and has achieved gratifying results. They used PGS technology to provide more options and possibilities for IVF embryo selection.
Breakthrough in Sperm Injection Technology
Sperm injection technology refers to the method of injecting a single sperm into the egg cell to increase the fertilization rate. The application of this technology in the third generation of IVF will enable patients with male infertility problems such as azoospermia, scarce sperm or poor motility to achieve fertility. Sperm injection technology improves the fertilization rate by selecting the best quality sperm for injection, thus increasing the success rate of IVF.
In the Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, doctors successfully applied sperm injection technology to help a couple who could not conceive naturally due to azoospermia of their male partner successfully realize their IVF dream. This shows that the success rate of sperm injection technology in the third generation of IVF has improved a lot.
Improvement of oocyte activation technology
Oocyte activation technology refers to the method of activating oocytes to make them capable of fertilization. In the third generation of IVF technology, the improvement of oocyte activation technology has played a positive role in improving the success rate. Previous oocyte activation techniques were mainly carried out by means of chemical substances, but this method was easy to cause abnormal embryonic development. In the third generation of IVF, electric activation technology was introduced to activate oocytes through electric stimulation, avoiding the adverse effects of chemicals on embryonic development.
Doctors from the Dongfang Hospital affiliated to Tongji University successfully applied electric activation technology in IVF for the first time. They successfully activated the oocyte by stimulating the oocyte with electric pulse, and fertilized it to form an embryo. This breakthrough marks a significant increase in the success rate of oocyte activation technology in the third generation of IVF.
Application of other auxiliary technologies
In addition to the above technological breakthroughs, the third generation of IVF has also applied other auxiliary technologies, such as frozen thawed embryo transfer, embryo culture technology, etc. Frozen thawed embryo transfer can increase the pregnancy rate of patients by freezing and storing surplus embryos and transferring them under the machine when appropriate. Embryo culture technology is to improve the survival rate and development quality of embryos by optimizing the culture environment.
All major hospitals are actively exploring and applying these new technologies to improve the success rate of the third generation of IVF.
summary
To sum up, the third generation IVF technology has made significant progress in embryo selection, sperm injection, oocyte activation and other aspects, so the success rate has also been significantly improved. The breakthrough of embryo selection, sperm injection technology and the improvement of oocyte activation technology through gene detection technology enable more infertile patients to realize their reproductive dreams. Although there are still some challenges and technical difficulties, the success rate of the third generation of IVF is still increasing, bringing hope and joy to many couples who are eager to become parents.
