History and development of IVF technology
In vitro fertilization embryo transfer (IVF-ET) is an assisted reproductive technology, which aims to help couples who are unable to conceive naturally due to physiological reasons realize their reproductive dreams. Since the birth of the first test tube baby, this technology has been widely used worldwide. This article will elaborate on IVF technology from four aspects: history, technology development, application scope and future prospects.
1、 History
The history of IVF technology can be traced back to the 1970s. In 1978, Dr. Edwards and Dr. Sturgeon of Britain successfully achieved the birth of the first test tube baby in the world at Cambridge University. The baby was named Louise Brown. This breakthrough success has led to the research and application of IVF technology worldwide.
With the continuous development of technology, the IVF technology has been continuously optimized. From the initial IVF to the later embryo culture and embryo screening, the success rate and birth health rate have been greatly improved. At present, IVF technology has become one of the preferred treatment methods for infertile couples.
2、 Technological development
The development of IVF technology can be divided into three key steps: in vitro fertilization, embryo culture and embryo transfer. In vitro fertilization refers to the combination of sperm and egg in the laboratory to form a fertilized egg; Embryo culture refers to the cultivation of fertilized eggs in vitro to make them develop to a certain stage; Embryo transfer is to implant the cultured embryos into the mother's uterus in the hope of achieving pregnancy.
With the continuous progress of technology, the success rate of IVF technology is also gradually improving. The quality evaluation of sperm and eggs, the optimization of embryo culture, and the introduction of embryo screening all provide better conditions for the successful birth of IVF. For example, according to the data of New York Presbyterian Hospital in the United States, in 2018, the proportion of successful pregnancies using IVF technology reached 37.5%.
3、 Scope of application
IVF technology is applicable to a variety of infertility causes, including male infertility, female infertility and bilateral infertility. In addition, the technology can also be used for screening and prevention of some genetic diseases to reduce the occurrence of some genetic diseases. IVF technology can also help couples with chromosome abnormalities to reduce the risk of transmission of genetic diseases through embryo screening.
The application scope of IVF technology is also expanding. In addition to conventional in vitro fertilization embryo transfer, there are ICSI technology (single sperm injection) and PGD technology (preimplantation genetic diagnosis). These new technologies provide better treatment options for more infertile patients.
4、 Future Outlook
In the future, IVF technology is expected to further improve the success rate and birth health rate. With the development of gene editing technology, it will be able to screen and repair gene defects in embryos more accurately and further reduce the incidence of genetic diseases. In addition, for older women, the development of egg freezing technology will also improve the quality of the fertilized eggs, thereby improving the chances of successful pregnancy.
In general, the history and development of IVF technology shows the breakthrough and innovation of human science and technology. Through continuous improvement and innovation, IVF technology has brought good news to couples who are unable to conceive naturally for various reasons, and created a chance for them to have healthy babies.
