- May 19, 2022
- By admin
Assisted reproductive technology as a solution to infertility.
How effective is Assisted reproductive technology (ART)
Infertility is treated using assisted reproductive technology (ART). Fertility treatments that deal with both eggs and sperm are included. It operates by removing the eggs from the ovaries. Embryos are created by mixing the eggs with sperm. The embryos are then returned to their parents. The most popular and efficient kind of ART is in vitro fertilisation (IVF). Assisted reproductive technologies (ART) are any fertility-related procedures that modify eggs or embryos, according to the American Centre for Disease Control (CDC). Intrauterine inseminations, for example, are not included in this definition because only sperm is altered. Furthermore, treatments that include ovarian stimulation without an intention for egg collection are not included in the criteria. In vitro fertilization-embryo transfer (IVF-ET), gamete intrafallopian transfer (GIFT), zygote intrafallopian transfer (ZIFT), and frozen embryo transfer are all examples of assisted reproductive technology (ART) (FET). Oocyte donation and gestational carriers are likewise covered by these approaches. IVF-ET has been used in around 99 per cent of ART cycles. Many couples have been successful with IVF-ET. When previous treatments (such as intrauterine insemination) have failed, or when there is significant male factor infertility, severe endometriosis, or tubal blockage, ART may be advised. Fertility treatment triggers a series of feelings. Frustration, misunderstanding, and resentment might arise as a result of waiting, uncertainty, and the demands of treatment. We believe that the more information you have regarding the tests and therapies, the less worried you will be about your situation. Please go over this material with your spouse if you’re going through this with them. Donor eggs, donor sperm, and previously frozen embryos are sometimes used in ART operations. A surrogate or gestational carrier may also be used. A surrogate is a woman who becomes pregnant using the sperm of one of the couple’s partners. With an egg from one spouse and sperm from the other, a gestational carrier gets pregnant. Multiple pregnancies are the most prevalent ART consequence. It can be avoided or reduced by reducing the number of embryos implanted in the parents’ bodies.
In-vitro fertilization; the most accepted and successful ART.
Infertility is the most common reason for using assisted reproductive technology. IVF bypasses the fallopian tubes in patients with tubal factor infertility. Male factor infertility, reduced ovarian reserve, ovarian failure (with donor eggs), ovulatory dysfunction, and unexplained infertility are some of the other infertility etiologies for which IVF is used. IVF using a gestational carrier can be employed in patients for whom pregnancy is comparatively contraindicated (described below) or who have uterine factor infertility. IVF is utilised in situations other than infertility. It can be used in patients who want preimplantation genetic testing prior to conception (for example, those who are known to be carriers of specific genetic abnormalities), fertility preservation (for example, prior to gonadotoxic therapy), or those who want to put off having children. If they are in a secure relationship, these women can choose to preserve their eggs or embryos. In 1978, a lady with an unstimulated menstrual cycle had laparoscopic removal of a single oocyte from the ovary, marking the first successful in vitro fertilisation (IVF) therapy in humans. The oocyte was then fertilised in vitro and placed into her uterus as an embryo. It begins with the extraction of eggs from the ovary, followed by in vitro fertilisation, and ends with the transfer of the resulting embryo into the uterus. Controlled ovarian stimulation, egg harvesting, fertilisation, embryo culture, and embryo transfer are among the steps mentioned here. Preimplantation genetic testing and intracytoplasmic sperm injection could possibly be part of the procedure. Cryopreservation with vitrification is then used to freeze extra embryos or to keep eggs or embryos fertile.
Intrauterine Insemination (IUI); a simple step to starting ART
When opposed to IVF, many couples prefer to start with intrauterine insemination (IUI) because it is substantially less expensive. IUI costs range from a few hundred dollars to $2,000 every cycle, depending on the fertility clinic, the medicine used, the blood work, and the required follow-up. IUI, on the other hand, is much less effective than IVF, and couples may need numerous rounds before conceiving, bringing the total cost closer to half that of IVF. The typical cost of IVF in the United States is roughly $11,000 to $12,000, although IVF has a far greater success rate than IUI. IUI is a simple office technique that involves injecting sperm into the uterine cavity that has been collected from the partner and treated in the laboratory. In the lab, sperm are “washed” to eliminate seminal fluid (which can cause severe cramping) and concentrate the sperm. By placing the sperm higher in the uterine cavity, the sperm avoids the cervix and shortens the path to the fallopian tubes. The goal is to increase the number of sperm that come into contact with the egg. IUI can be done during a woman’s natural ovulation, which can be timed with over-the-counter ovulation predictor kits (OPK), or it can be done in conjunction with fertility medication to help with ovulation function. IUI is a procedure in which laboratory-prepared sperm is introduced directly into the uterine cavity via a tiny tube at the time of ovulation to increase the chances of conception. The cervical mucous is skipped, and only the actively motile sperm are implanted. Intercourse should be avoided for 2–3 days (maximum of five days) prior to predicted ovulation. When we meet with you to plan your treatment, we will estimate this day (or day of your cycle). Tests may have been performed prior to this therapy cycle to rule out anomalies of the female reproductive system, such as a tubal obstruction. The male partner’s sperm will have been tested to verify the necessary parameters are present, enabling for IUI fertilisation. Low sperm counts are usually a no-no for IUI. One week following ovulation, a test for serum progesterone can be done to confirm that an egg was released. You can expect a period within 14 days of treatment if you are not pregnant from any particular cycle of medication.
Reference
- Assisted Reproductive Technologies. (n.d.). Retrieved May 17, 2022, from https://www.sart.org/patients/a-patients-guide-to-assisted-reproductive-technology/general-information/assisted-reproductive-technologies/
- Jain, M., & Singh, M. (2022). Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) Techniques. In StatPearls. StatPearls Publishing. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK576409/
- Leridon, H. (2005). How effective is assisted reproduction technology? A model assessment. Revue D’epidemiologie Et De Sante Publique, 53 Spec No 2, 2S119-127.
- The Difference Between IUI and IVF – a patient education micro-video. (n.d.). Retrieved May 17, 2022, from https://www.sart.org/patients/fyi-videos/the-difference-between-iui-and-ivf/