2. What is In Vitro
Fertilization?
• In vitro fertilization (IVF) is a
complex series of
procedures used to treat
fertility or genetic problems
and assist with the
conception of a child.
3. History
• 1800
A physician named Dr. Sims at
the Women’s Hospital in New
York performed a fresh
intrauterine insemination from
a man’s sperm. This created
one pregnancy that ended in
miscarriage.
• 1884
Dr. William Pancoast in
Philadelphia performed the
first donor insemination using
sperm from the medical
student voted “best looking” in
his class. It was anonymous,
and both the husband and wife
were not even informed that a
donor was being used until
years later.
4. • 1934
Gregory Pincus performed IVF-like research
on rabbits but was fired from Harvard due
to his controversial research.
• 1965
Dr. Jones of Baltimore Hospital worked with
Dr. Edwards of England and fertilized the
first human egg in vitro.
• 1969
Published Journal that contains the result of
a Laparoscopy surgery performed by Dr.
Edwards joined Dr. Patrick Steptoe to
retrieve an egg and fertilize it in vitro (in the
lab).
• 1978
The first successful live birth from IVF was
announced by Drs. Edwards and Steptoe in
England.
5. • 1980
After wading through more regulatory
hurdles, the first U.S. IVF clinic was
opened by the Jones doctors in
Virginia. The race was on but Australia
was the second county to announce a
test tube baby.
• 1981
The U.S. announced the birth of IVF
baby Elizabeth Carr in 1981.
6. Advancements in In Vitro
Fertilization
Fertility Drugs were improved.
IVF egg retrievals began to be performed vaginally instead of by
laparoscopy.
Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) allowed men with low
sperm to become fathers by 1991.
Embryo transfers slowly moved from day 1 to day 3 and are now
performed on day 5 by all outstanding fertility centers, as
embryology labs became capable of culturing embryos safely for
longer periods of time.
“live-cam” 24-hour footage became available to monitor cell
division.
Embryo biopsy techniques evolved to safer and a more accurate
prediction of the genetic makeup of an embryo.
Comprehensive Chromosome Screening (CCS) of the whole
embryo genome (24 Chromosomes).
7. Medical Uses
1. Blocked tubes
2. Older patients/patients with low
ovarian reserve
3. Male infertility
4. Unexplained infertility
5. Polycystic ovary syndrome
6. Endometriosis
7. Premature ovarian failure
Editor's Notes
During IVF, mature eggs are collected (retrieved) from your ovaries and fertilized by sperm in a lab. Then the fertilized egg (embryo) or eggs are implanted in your uterus. One cycle of IVF takes about two weeks.
In the mid 1800’s, scientists finally discovered that pregnancies occurred from a combination of sperm and egg.
Donor Insemination: A procedure that uses syringe to place semen into a woman’s vagina to assist her in getting pregnant.
This practice which keeps the patient from not knowing the donor is no longer allowed today
Lesley Brown gave birth to Louise Joy Brown, first successful live birth from IVF.
Laparoscopy - is an operation performed in the abdomen or pelvis through small incisions with the aid of a camera.
Intracytoplasmic sperm injection - is an in vitro fertilization procedure in which a single sperm cell is injected directly into the cytoplasm of an egg
Embryo biopsy - Potential method for preimplantation diagnosis of genetic disorders used in conjunction with in vitro fertilization in which cells are removed and analyzed at a very early stage in embryonic development.
Blocked tubes: For women with blocked or damaged fallopian tubes, IVF provides the best opportunity of having a child using their own eggs.
Older patients/ patients with a low ovarian reserve: IVF can be used to maximise the chance of older patients conceiving.
Male infertility: Couples with a male infertility problem will have a much higher chance of conceiving with IVF than conceiving naturally.
Unexplained infertility: 1 in 6 couples will suffer fertility problems and sometimes these remain undiagnosed after investigation. These patients may benefit from intervention.
PCOS: Polycystic ovary syndrome is common condition in which there is a hormone imbalance leading to irregular menstrual cycles. IVF has proved very successful in patients with PCOS, who will not conceive with ovulation induction.
Endometriosis: Patients with endometriosis, where parts of the womb lining grow outside the womb, may like to try IVF, as it has proved successful in this group.
Premature ovarian failure: Women with premature ovarian failure or menopause can have IVF treatment using donor eggs, which typically has high success rates.