Meaning Of Assisted Reproductive Technology
Assisted reproductive technology (ART) includes medical procedures used primarily to address infertility. This subject involves procedures such as in vitro fertilization, intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), cryopreservation of gametes or embryos, and/or the use of fertility medication.
When used to address infertility, ART may also be referred to as fertility treatment. ART mainly belongs to the field of reproductive endocrinology and infertility.
Some forms of ART may be used with regard to fertile couples for genetic purposes. ART may also be used in surrogacy arrangements, although not all surrogacy arrangements involve ART.
In vitro fertilisation
In vitro fertilization is the technique of letting fertilization of the male and female gametes (sperm and egg) occur outside the female body.
Techniques usually used in in vitro fertilization include:
Transvaginal ovum retrieval (OVR) is the process whereby a small needle is inserted through the back of the vagina and guided via ultrasound into the ovarian follicles to collect the fluid that contains the eggs.
Embryo transfer is the step in the process whereby one or several embryos are placed into the uterus of the female with the intent to establish a pregnancy.
IVF is used in a range of circumstances to assist with conception but is often the only means of achieving pregnancy for women whose fallopian tubes are blocked. In IVF, the woman’s eggs are collected, along with sperm from the male partner or donor. The egg and sperm are left in a culture dish in the laboratory to allow the egg to be fertilized. If fertilization occurs and an embryo develops, the embryo is then placed into the woman’s uterus in a procedure called an embryo transfer. Sometimes multiple embryos may develop, and they can be frozen for use in later transfer procedures.
Gamete Intrafallopian Transfer (GIFT)
GIFT was launched as a more ‘natural’ version of IVF. Instead of fertilization occurring in a culture dish in a laboratory, the woman’s eggs are retrieved from her ovaries and inserted between two layers of sperm in fine tubing. This tubing is then fed into one of the woman’s fallopian tubes, where the egg and sperm are left to fertilize naturally. GIFT is no longer commonly used. However, it is sometimes used as an option for couples who don’t want to use IVF for religious reasons, providing that the woman’s fallopian tubes are functioning.
Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI)
ICSI is used for the same reasons as IVF, but especially to overcome sperm problems. Essentially, ICSI follows the same process like IVF, except ICSI involves the direct injection of a single sperm into each egg to achieve fertilization.
Pre-Implantation Genetic Testing
Pre-implantation genetic testing (PGT) is a technique used in IVF to help people reduce their risk of passing on a known genetic condition.
There are two types of PGT: PGT for monogenic/single gene defects (PGT-M) is used to identify embryos that are not affected by a ‘faulty’ gene that can lead to disease.
PGT for chromosomal structural rearrangements (PGT-SR) is used to identify embryos that have the correct amount of genetic material.
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