Can IVF technology realize twins?
IVF technology, also known as in vitro fertilization embryo transfer (IVF-ET) technology, is an assisted reproductive technology. By fertilizing the egg and sperm in vitro, the embryo is cultivated, and the embryo is transferred to the female uterus, so as to achieve female pregnancy and fertility. In the process of the development of IVF technology, there has always been a dispute about whether the technology can be used to achieve twins. This article will elaborate from four aspects.
Twins Possibility in Embryo Culture
In IVF technology, after in vitro fertilization of eggs and sperm, the generated embryos need to be cultured to select the best embryos for transplantation. In this process, scientists and doctors can choose to transfer one or more embryos back to the mother to increase the success rate of pregnancy. Therefore, by selecting multiple embryos for transfer during in vitro culture, IVF technology can indeed achieve twins.
However, this method of multiple embryo transfer also has certain risks, which may lead to multiple pregnancy or early abortion. Therefore, doctors usually decide the number of embryos transferred according to the specific conditions of patients, such as age, health status and physiological indicators, to reduce the risk of patients and embryos.
Application of PGD technology
The pre implantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) technology in IVF technology can help scientists screen healthy embryos and reduce the genetic risk of specific genetic diseases or chromosomal abnormalities. PGD technology can detect the genome of each embryo before embryo implantation, and select embryos without genetic diseases or chromosome abnormalities for transplantation.
However, even if healthy embryos are screened by PGD technology, the incidence of twins is still uncertain. This is because the formation of twins is mainly affected by the specific physiological conditions at the time of embryo implantation and the individual differences of patients.
Research and Application of Multi embryo Segmentation Technology
In the process of the development of IVF technology, scientists are still constantly studying and exploring how to achieve the birth of twins through multiple embryo segmentation technology. As the name suggests, multi embryo segmentation technology is to divide an early embryo into two or more parts, thus producing multiple embryos. These embryos can be transplanted into different uteruses to realize the birth of twins.
Although the multi embryo segmentation technology has been successfully implemented in the laboratory to form healthy twins, its clinical application is still in the research stage and has not been widely implemented. In addition, multi embryo segmentation technology also has certain ethical and legal issues, which need more discussion and evaluation.
Summary
In conclusion, IVF technology can realize twins through multiple embryo transfer or selection of healthy embryos. In addition, scientists are also studying multiple embryo segmentation technology to more accurately realize the birth of twins. However, the incidence of twins in IVF is still affected by many factors, including conditions in the process of culture and transplantation, and individual differences of patients. Therefore, when deciding to use IVF technology to achieve twins, doctors and patients need to make wise choices based on full understanding of relevant information and risks.
