I. What does it consist of?

In vitro fecundation (IVF) consists of fecundating feminine gametes (oocytes) outside the woman’s body.

Once oocytes are fecundated, a limited number of obtained embryos are transferred into woman’s uterine, so they can continue developing in a natural way.

II. When is it indicated?

  • When a pregnancy hasn’t been obtained through artificial insemination
    (3 unsuccessful inseminations)

  • In the case of infertility or sterility for unknown reasons

  • Absence or injury in tubes

  • Decrease of spermatic number and mobility and increase of spermatozoon
    anomalies. Non serious male factor

  • Endometriosis (abnormal growing inside the abdominal cavity of the tissue
    that normally covers the inside walls of the uterine)

  • Ovulatory disorders

  • Immunologic disorders

  • Others

III. Procedure

IVF cycle has different stages:

  1. Study and preparation of the couple
  2. Ovarian stimulation
  3. Collection of oocytes
  4. Fertilisation in laboratory: culture of oocytes, spermatozoa and embryos
  5. Transfer of embryos to the mother

IVF is generally used after having "blocked” the pharmacologically natural cycle and stimulated ovaries through a hormonal treatment to assure multiple follicular development.

Oocytes are taken out from the woman through an ecoguided puncture and vaginal tube of the follicles. Immediately after they have been obtained they are prepared and classified in laboratory.

Semen has to be obtained almost at the same time as extraction of oocytes, after a period of sexual abstinence. Semen is prepared in the laboratory to remove certain components and to select the most adequate spermatozoa to fecundate the oocytes.

Spermatozoa are put in contact with oocytes, leaving them in incubation during certain hours.

Once fecundation is obtained, a number of embryos are selected to be introduced to the woman’s uterine.

The woman has to follow a hormonal treatment to help the feasibility of the potential pregnancy.

IV. Results

Results depend to a great extent on the woman’s age and the present causes, which has indicated she should have the treatment. In general terms, the average pregnancy on cycle is situated around 15-30%, although deviations from this average can be from 19 and 45%