How does IVF medical technology work?
IVF is an assisted reproductive technology that helps couples who cannot conceive naturally realize their desire to have children through in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer. The medical technology of IVF will be described in detail from four aspects: ovulation promotion, in vitro fertilization, embryo culture and embryo transfer.
Ovulation induction
The medical process of IVF usually starts with ovulation induction. First of all, the ovulation cycle can be adjusted by female patients themselves or by injecting artificial ovulation promoting drugs. These drugs can promote ovarian development and follicle growth, and trigger ovulation at the appropriate time. The doctor will regularly check the size and number of follicles to determine the best time for fertilization.
When the follicle develops to the appropriate size, doctors will use artificial ovulation guidance drugs to cause follicle rupture and release mature eggs. This process is called egg collection and is usually carried out in the operating room. Doctors will use ultrasound guided fine tubes to puncture the ovary, collect eggs and store them in the culture medium.
The whole process of ovulation promotion requires close monitoring and adjustment of drug dosage to ensure successful collection of mature eggs
In vitro fertilization
After obtaining the collected eggs, the doctor will conduct in vitro fertilization with the sperm of partners or donors in the laboratory. IVF can be divided into conventional IVF and minimally invasive injection.
Conventional in vitro fertilization is to put sperm and egg together in the culture dish, and the process of natural fertilization is carried out in the culture dish. In minimally invasive injection technology, doctors will use special microscopes and micromanipulators to inject a single sperm into an egg.
The success rate of IVF depends on the quality of eggs and sperm, as well as laboratory conditions and technical level.
Embryo culture
After fertilization, the egg will develop into an embryo and be cultured in the laboratory. The process of embryo culture needs to provide appropriate medium and environment.
The commonly used method of embryo culture is to culture the embryo to the blastocyst stage of 5-7 days in the culture medium, and then select the best quality embryo for transfer. In this process, doctors will select the embryo most likely to be implanted successfully according to the appearance, development and genetic information of the embryo.
The development and improvement of embryo culture technology has significantly improved the success rate of IVF, and also provided more options and opportunities to minimize the risk of multiple pregnancy.
embryo transfer
At the end of the embryo culture phase, doctors will select the best quality embryos for transplantation. Embryo transfer is usually accomplished by placing the embryo in the endometrium with a thin tube or catheter.
Embryo transfer is a simple operation without anesthesia. It is usually carried out during the period when the endometrium is thicker to increase the implantation rate of embryos. The transfer process is usually guided by ultrasound to ensure the accurate positioning of embryos.
After embryo transfer, female patients need to continue to use progesterone and other drugs to help endometrium implantation. The process from embryo transfer to pregnancy detection usually takes about two weeks.
Through these steps, the medical technology of IVF can be realized. The emergence of this technology provides an important choice for couples who are unable to conceive naturally, so that they can realize their desire to have children.
summary
The medical technology of IVF includes ovulation induction, in vitro fertilization, embryo culture and embryo transfer. Promote follicular development and egg maturation by adjusting the ovulation cycle of female patients. After that, the collected eggs and sperm will be fertilized in vitro through conventional in vitro fertilization or minimally invasive injection technology. The fertilized eggs develop into embryos and are cultured in the laboratory. Finally, doctors will select the best quality embryos for transplantation into the endometrium of female patients. The development of these technologies makes IVF therapy a reality and provides an important choice for couples who cannot conceive naturally.
