In Vitro Fertilization

1. In Vitro Fertilization

2. What is In Vitro Fertilization (IVF)?
•Process by which egg cells are fertilized by
sperm outside of the womb
•Major treatment for infertility
•Process involves hormonally controlling
ovulation, removing eggs from the ovaries and
letting sperm fertilize the eggs in a fluid
medium  fertilized egg (zygote) is
transferred to woman’s uterus

3. Method
1.Ovarian Stimulation
-Treatment starts on
the third day of
menstruation
-Fertility medications
are administered – 10
days of injections are
necessary

4. Method
2. Egg Retrieval
-Eggs are retrieved using
a transvaginal technique
using a needle to pierce
the vaginal walls (to
reach the ovaries)
-10 to 30 eggs are
removed

5. Method
3. Fertilization
-Sperm and egg are incubated together (at a
ratio of 75 000:1) for about 18 hours
-The fertilized egg is put in a special growth
medium and left for about 48 hours until it has
reached the 6-8 cell stage

6. Method
4. Embryo Transfer
-The “best” embryos are
transferred to the uterus
using a thin, plastic
catheter – which goes
through the vagina and
cervix
-Some embryos may be
passed into the uterus to
improve changes of
pregnancy

7. For IVF to be Successful …
•Need healthy ova (egg)
•Healthy sperm – that can
fertilize
•Uterus – that can maintain a
pregnancy
•IVF can be used for females
who have already gone
through menopause

8. Success Rate
•Pregnancy rate = success rate for pregnancy
•For IVF, success rate is the percentage of all
attempts that lead to pregnancy
•In 2006, Canadian clinics reported an average
pregnancy rate of 35% and a live birth rate of
27%

9. Complications
•Major complication is risk of multiple births –
related to the practice of transferring multiple
embryos at embryo transfer
•Multiple births – related to increased risk of
pregnancy loss, obstetrical complications,
prematurity, and death