What are the technologies of IVF?
Test tube baby, a method of assisted reproductive technology (ART), provides a way for couples who cannot conceive naturally with medical technology to obtain children. The following will introduce the IVF technology in detail from four aspects: in vitro fertilization, embryo transfer, embryo screening and frozen embryos.
1、 In vitro fertilization
In vitro fertilization is one of the core steps of IVF technology. In this process, artificial assistant measures were used to combine sperm and egg in vitro laboratory. First, doctors will give female hormone treatment to promote the release of multiple mature eggs from the ovary. Then, through targeted technical operations, the sperm and egg are combined to form a fertilized egg. After successful fertilization, the fertilized egg will continue to develop in the culture dish and become an embryo.
There are many techniques in IVF, such as intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). ICSI is an advanced technology, which is applicable to the condition of poor quality of male semen. In ICSI, doctors only need to inject sperm into eggs after selection to ensure fertilization.
In addition, there is also a technology called blastocyst culture, which can provide a better living environment in vitro culture, help the development of embryos, and improve the success rate of pregnancy.
2、 Embryo transfer
Embryo transfer refers to the process of transferring high-quality embryos into women's uterus at the development stage after in vitro fertilization. This is one of the key steps of IVF, and also the key to ensure the success of pregnancy. In the process of embryo transfer, the doctor will select the most promising embryo and insert it into the female uterus through a thin tube. This requires precise manipulation skills to ensure successful embryo transfer.
Embryo transfer includes not only the transfer of fresh embryos, but also the transfer of frozen embryos. The transfer of frozen embryos has a high pregnancy success rate because they are high-quality embryos that were formed in the previous IVF cycle and have been frozen. This also allows couples to have multiple opportunities for embryo transfer to improve the likelihood of pregnancy.
3、 Embryo screening
In order to improve the success rate and reduce the transmission risk of genetic diseases, embryo screening technology is widely used in the process of IVF. This technology can help doctors select healthy embryos for transplantation, and minimize the probability of birth defects and genetic diseases.
Embryo screening can use genome prediction techniques, such as extracellular DNA detection, i.e. non-invasive gene detection, and techniques to detect single gene mutations, such as PGD (reproductive genetic diagnosis).
4、 Frozen embryo
Frozen embryo technology is an important step in the process of IVF. During in vitro fertilization, multiple high-quality embryos are usually obtained. However, not all embryos can be transferred. Therefore, by cryopreservation, embryos can be used in later cycles to improve the chance of pregnancy.
Frozen embryo technology can store embryos at a specific temperature for several years, so that couples can choose the time most suitable for them to transfer in the future. The high success rate of frozen embryo technology also reduces the demand for female hormone therapy.
summary
IVF technology includes in vitro fertilization, embryo transfer, embryo screening, frozen embryos and many other aspects. In vitro fertilization is the core step, including ICSI and blastocyst culture technology. Embryo transfer requires precise techniques, including the transfer of fresh and frozen embryos. Embryo screening uses genome prediction technology to reduce the risk of genetic diseases. Frozen embryo technology preserves high-quality embryos and improves the chance of pregnancy. The development of these technologies has brought hope to infertile couples and realized their dreams of childbearing.
