The use of the assisted reproductive technology (ART) has become a popular method of conception in the recent years due to the increasing cases of infertility amongst men and women across the globe. Scientists and health professionals have continued to seek every possible way for how to give a chance to every willing woman to experience motherhood and to eager men to feel the joys of fatherhood. This is the main reason why there are various research and studies that are being conducted on assisted reproduction technology.
Assisted reproductive technology utilizes all the necessary data on fertility and infertility information to come up with a course of action that deals with the problems regarding reproductive health.
There are various types of assisted reproduction technology. At least four of these types are now commonly applied in the treatment of infertility. The first and probably the most popular kind of assisted reproductive technology is the so-called In Vitro Fertilization or IVF. Literally, this means fertilization outside the reproductive organ. This is the method used when there is an obstruction in the fallopian tubes of the woman or when the sperm count of the man is too low for reproduction purposes. Some medication will be prescribed for the woman to enable the production of multiple eggs. When the eggs mature, they will be removed from the woman and stored in the laboratory for fertilization. After about three to five days, the fertilized eggs (or embryos) shall be implanted in the uterus of the subject. The in vitro fertilization process is by far the most effective among the several methods of ART.
Another type of assisted reproductive technology is the Zygote intrafallopian transfer (ZIFT) or the Tubal Embryo Transfer. This is similar to the in vitro fertilization. The difference, however, is that the fertilized embryos will be transferred not to the uterus but to the fallopian tubes.
The third type is the Gamete intrafallopian transfer (GIFT). This involves a more intricate process as it has to transfer both the eggs and the sperm into the fallopian tube. Hence, fertilization takes place inside the woman’s body. This is its main difference from the two preceding procedures. Only a few practice this method because of its complexities and its low turnout for success.
The last type of assisted reproductive technology that is commonly known is the Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). This type focuses on the problem with sperm cells and they are also used on older couples who still want to have their own bundle of joy. This type is likewise applicable for those who have attempted in vitro fertilization but failed. In this ART, a sperm cell is injected into a fertilized egg. Thereafter, the mature egg will then be transferred to the uterus or the fallopian tube.
These assisted procedures of reproduction will sometimes involve the use of eggs from other women or the application of sperm cells from another man. These are the ones popularly termed as “donor eggs” and “donor sperms” respectively. The donor eggs are applied on women who cannot produce their own eggs.
There is now a new purpose for these assisted reproductive processes. This is the improvement or the alteration of the genetic makeup of the future child to produce a healthier offspring. This is recommended when one or both of the husband and wife have an illness that can be transferred to the child through their genes. This is one of the main reasons why every individual must go through periodic checkups to avoid unnecessary sufferings for both the parents and the newborn. Assisted reproductive technology is an expensive procedure, so it is wise that you use it appropriately.
Check out this short video that explains the in vitro fertilization process.