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| LETTER TO THE EDITOR |
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| Year : 2010 | Volume
: 1
| Issue : 3 | Page : 365 |
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The miracle of IVF
Anusua Chanda
Embryologist, City Fertility Center, Melbourne, Australia
| Date of Web Publication | 10-Nov-2010 |
Correspondence Address:
Anusua Chanda
Embryologist, City Fertility Center, Melbourne
Australia
 Source of Support: None, Conflict of Interest: None  | Check |
DOI: 10.4103/0110-5558.72417
How to cite this article:
Chanda A. The miracle of IVF. J Adv Pharm Technol Res 2010;1:365 |
Sir,
Infertility refers to the inability of a couple to become pregnant naturally after a reasonable trial of unprotected sexual intercourse. There are many reasons that may explain the failure of the couple to achieve a pregnancy. Infertility can be treated by the utilization of In vitro fertilization (IVF), which means fertilization outside the human body. IVF gives the infertile couple an opportunity to have a child of their own.
Day 0
0The woman's eggs are collected from her ovaries and soon after the man's sperm sample is received by the IVF laboratory. Later that day the man's sperm is placed together with the woman's best quality eggs in a dish in order to allow fertilization to begin. This is known as the insemination procedure. In some cases where men might have a low sperm count (or any other reason justified by the clinician) a procedure called Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) is performed. This is where, on a specially developed microscopic instrument, one sperm is injected into one egg. The eggs and sperm are then cultured together overnight (about 16 to 18 hours) in an environmentally controlled (with appropriate supply of gases such as oxygen, carbon dioxide, and nitrogen) incubator.
Day 1
0In that time (16 to 18 hours) fertilization is expected to occur. Therefore, on day 1, after egg collection, the eggs are assessed for fertilization by the laboratory scientists. The scientists notify the patients and their doctor about the fertilization result. Only the fertilized eggs can divide and form embryos over the next few days. Not all eggs, regardless of their quality, can fertilize and form embryos.
Day 2 Onward
0The scientists in the laboratory monitor the embryo development on a daily basis. Normal development of an embryo is regarded as a four cell on day 2, followed by an eight cell on day 3. On day 4 the cells are indistinguishable and the embryo at this stage is called a morula. By day 5 the center of the embryo will start to form a cavity and this type of embryo is called a blastocyst. Usually, an embryo is transferred into the uterus of a woman by day 2, day 3, or day 5. The decision of when to perform the embryo transfer is made by the doctor, using the information provided by the scientist.
In vitro fertilization as a treatment method for infertility has gained considerable recognition over the past years, as it has made a great difference to the lives of many couples who were very disappointed over their misfortune of not being able to achieve a pregnancy. With IVF treatment these couples are seen to have normal families like other fertile couples.
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