Principles of IVF
IVF is a kind of assisted reproductive technology, which enables fertilized eggs and endometrium to be fertilized and implanted in vitro, thus realizing pregnancy and fertility. The principle includes selecting high-quality eggs and sperm, in vitro fertilization, embryo culture and transplantation.
First, doctors will monitor women during ovulation to ensure that eggs are collected at the best time. This step usually involves taking hormone drugs to increase the production of eggs, so as to collect multiple mature eggs in a cycle.
Then, eggs are collected through simple surgery and fertilized with sperm in vitro. This process can be carried out in the laboratory. In a special culture medium, eggs and sperm are placed together to allow them to naturally fertilize in an adaptive environment.
Next, the fertilized eggs will be cultured in the laboratory, usually in an in vitro incubator to provide suitable temperature, humidity and nutritional environment, and develop synchronously with the endometrium. The normal culture cycle is five to six days. During this period, doctors will carefully observe the development of embryos and screen out the most promising embryos.
The process of IVF
The process of IVF includes egg collection, sperm extraction, in vitro fertilization, embryo culture and embryo transfer.
First, doctors will puncture and attract the eggs with fine needles guided by ultrasound. This process usually needs to be carried out in the operating room, using local anesthesia. Then, the doctor will use a special culture medium to place the collected eggs in a culture dish for further operation.
At the same time, after egg collection, men need to conduct sperm extraction. This can be accomplished by manual ejaculation, semen donation, or testicular ejaculation. The extracted sperm will be processed and prepared in the laboratory to obtain high-quality sperm for in vitro fertilization.
Then, sperm and egg are placed in the same culture dish for in vitro fertilization. Observe the fertilization condition under the microscope. If the fertilization is successful, the fertilized egg will be formed. The fertilized eggs are cultured in the laboratory, waiting for the embryo to develop to the best state.
Finally, doctors will choose the most promising embryos for transplantation. Embryo transfer usually involves placing an embryo into a woman's uterus using a catheter. After transplantation, doctors will observe and monitor the implantation and development of embryos to ensure the success of pregnancy.
Risks and limitations of IVF
While IVF technology helps many infertile couples realize their reproductive dreams, it also has certain risks and limitations.
On the one hand, the use of anti rejection drugs and hormone drugs may cause a series of side effects, such as allergic reaction, nausea, headache, etc. There are also certain risks during preoperative anesthesia and surgery, such as infection, bleeding, etc.
On the other hand, IVF is not the best choice for all infertile couples. If the quality of female eggs is poor or the endometrium cannot provide sufficient conditions for the implantation of fertilized eggs, IVF may fail. Factors such as age, health status and lifestyle will also affect the success rate of IVF.
In addition, IVF technology may be subject to legal and moral restrictions in some countries and regions, so relevant laws, regulations and ethical issues need to be considered.
Summary
IVF technology helps infertile couples realize their reproductive dreams through in vitro fertilization and embryo culture. The principle includes selecting high-quality eggs and sperm, in vitro fertilization, embryo culture and transplantation. The process of IVF includes egg collection, sperm extraction, in vitro fertilization, embryo culture and embryo transfer. However, IVF technology has certain risks and limitations, including surgical risks, side effects, treatment failure, etc. Therefore, before choosing IVF technology, couples should fully understand communication with doctors and consider their own conditions and needs.
