New breakthrough in the field of IVF: comparison between the first generation and the second generation of IVF
In vitro fertilization (IVF) is a method of reproduction assisted by in vitro fertilization (IVF). In recent years, IVF has made great breakthroughs in the medical field. With the continuous progress of technology and the accumulation of medical experience, there are significant differences between the first generation and the second generation of IVF in some aspects. This article will compare the first generation and the second generation of IVF from four aspects: embryo selection, disease risk, pregnancy rate and birth defect rate, and infant growth and development.
Embryonic selection
In the era of the first generation of IVF, embryo selection mainly depended on morphological evaluation methods. This method can not accurately determine whether the embryo has a normal chromosome configuration, and there are some artificial judgment errors. In the second generation of IVF, the development of genetic screening technology has brought new changes to embryo selection. By using genomics technology, embryos with chromosome abnormalities can be more accurately screened, which improves the success rate of pregnancy and reduces the abortion rate.
In addition, precision exfoliative DNA (PGD) technology has also been introduced into the second-generation IVF, which can detect gene mutations and genes carrying specific disease risks in early embryos. Couples with genetic disease history in the family can screen embryos with normal genes through PGD technology, so as to avoid passing on genetic diseases to offspring.
Risk of carrying disease
The first generation of IVF babies have some difficulties in carrying the risk of genetic diseases. Due to the limitation of embryo selection technology, some IVF babies may carry genes of genetic diseases during pregnancy. The second generation of IVF can more accurately judge whether the embryo carries disease related gene abnormalities through genetic screening technology, thus reducing the risk of carrying diseases.
For example, in the IVF assisted reproduction project carried out by a well-known hospital in China, the embryo screening technology of the second generation IVF has covered nearly 200 genetic diseases, including congenital heart disease, Down syndrome and cystic fibrosis. This can greatly reduce the risk of genetic diseases carried by both spouses.
Pregnancy rate and birth defect rate
The first generation of IVF has some shortcomings in pregnancy rate and birth defect rate. Due to technical limitations and lack of experience, the pregnancy rate of the first generation IVF is relatively low, and the birth defect rate is relatively high. The second generation of test tube babies benefited from technological progress, and the pregnancy rate increased significantly, while the birth defect rate also decreased.
Taking a famous domestic reproduction center as an example, the pregnancy rate of the second generation IVF program in the center is more than 50%, and the birth defect rate is relatively low. This is mainly due to the high accuracy of embryo selection and the application of genetic screening technology.
Infant growth and development
In terms of infant growth and development, the second generation of IVF has significantly improved compared with the first generation of IVF. In the study of a provincial hospital, they found that the intellectual development level and physical development of the second generation of IVF babies were relatively stable and good, and there was no significant difference between them and naturally conceived babies.
This improvement can be attributed to the progress of embryo screening technology and the all-round health management of infants after birth. The application of embryo screening technology enables the screening of embryos carrying gene mutations and disease risks, thus reducing the possibility of birth defects. At the same time, the hospital will provide regular health examination and physical development assessment for IVF babies to ensure their overall healthy development.
Summary
With the continuous progress of technology, the second generation IVF has made significant advantages in embryo selection, disease risk, pregnancy rate, birth defect rate and infant growth and development. Through precise genetic screening technology and embryo screening technology, the success rate and health level of the second generation of IVF have been greatly improved. However, the IVF field still faces some challenges, such as high costs and ethical issues. In the future, with the further accumulation of technology and medical experience, the field of IVF may usher in more breakthroughs and improvements.
