What is the principle of IVF?
IVF technology is a kind of assisted reproductive technology, which aims to help couples who cannot conceive naturally realize their reproductive dreams. It combines eggs and sperm in vitro to form an embryo, and then transfers the embryo back to the female uterus to develop into a normal fetus. The principles of IVF will be described in detail from different perspectives.
1. In vitro fertilization
The first step of IVF is in vitro fertilization. First, women use hormone injection to urge the ovaries to excrete multiple eggs. These eggs are then collected surgically and placed in test tubes. Next, men provide sperm samples and fine process them in the laboratory. Sperm is separated by centrifugation to combine high-quality sperm with egg in vitro.
The success rate of IVF depends on many factors, including the quality of eggs and sperm, the technical level of laboratory operation, etc. Once successfully fertilized, the fertilized egg will further develop into an embryo.
2. Embryo culture
In the process of in vitro culture of fertilized eggs, appropriate temperature, nutrition and environmental conditions need to be provided. The laboratory will use special culture media to provide these conditions to promote the development of embryos.
Embryo culture usually lasts for 3 to 5 days, during which the embryo will continue to develop and differentiate. In the final stage of culture, the embryo will form a blastocyst, which is the stage when the embryo cavity is formed and filled with liquid.
3. Embryo transfer
After the embryo has reached the appropriate stage, the doctor will select the embryo with the most development potential for transplantation. Embryo transfer is a minimally invasive surgery. Embryos are gradually introduced into the female uterine cavity to embed into the uterine wall and are expected to continue to develop.
The preparation before transplantation includes exploring the uterine cavity to determine the best time and location for transplantation. After embryo transfer, women need to continue taking hormone drugs to increase the preparation and maintenance of pregnancy.
4. Pregnancy and childbirth
If the embryo is successfully embedded in the uterus and continues to develop, the woman will become pregnant. Next, we need to detect HCG in blood or urine to determine whether the pregnancy is successful.
After a successful pregnancy, women will continue to receive prenatal care and continue to pay attention to the growth and development of the fetus. When the fetus reaches full term, the woman will give birth normally or meet the newborn by caesarean section.
Summary
Through in vitro fertilization, embryo culture, embryo transfer, pregnancy and childbirth and other steps, IVF technology helps couples who cannot conceive naturally realize their reproductive dreams. The success of this technology depends on many factors, including the quality of eggs and sperm, the technical level of laboratory operations, etc. IVF technology has brought hope to many infertile couples and has become an important breakthrough in the field of modern medicine.
