IVF ( In Vitro Fertilization)

In vitro fertilization (or IVF) is a technique of medically assisted procreation (AMP). Its purpose is to ensure the meeting of the oocyte and the spermatozoon outside the woman’s body (in vitro).
In practice, the sperm is collected and prepared in the laboratory while the collection of oocytes is done by puncturing the ovaries after ovarian stimulation. In the laboratory, the gametes (oocytes and spermatozoa) are then fertilized, in vitro (in a container) by conventional technique or by ICSI. The fertilized oocyte then becomes an embryo, which is transferred to the uterus.

IVF therefore involves several stages:

• Ovarian stimulation;
• Oocyte and semen collection;
• In vitro fertilization and embryonic culture;
• The transfer of embryos into the uterus.

When to benefit from IVF?

IVF is indicated when “natural” fertilization is impossible. This is for example the case when there is:

Tubal anomalies: the causes of these tubal anomalies (i.e. related to the tubes) are varied. It can be the sequelae of genital infections, adhesions after surgery, ectopic pregnancies … In a third of cases, sperm sperm damage is associated.

Endometriosis: this is a disease characterized by the abnormal presence of a uterine lining on the peritoneum of the small pelvis and mainly in the ovaries, which leads to a decrease in fertility

Spermogram anomalies: they alone are indications for performing a classic IVF in 20% of cases, while the fallopian tubes are perfectly healthy.

Unexplained infertility: in this case, the use of in vitro fertilization generally occurs after several unsuccessful attempts at simple stimulation of ovulation and then intrauterine insemination.

What is ICSI?

A major upheaval occurred in the early 90s with the contribution of ICSI (Intra-Cytoplasmic Sperm Injection). Also called “assisted IVF”, this technique consists of micro-injecting a sperm into an oocyte during in vitro fertilization.

It is primarily intended for:

Couples with male infertility: this infertility is most often a low concentration or even a complete absence of sperm in the sperm (it is then necessary to have recourse to testicular samples).

In case of auto-immunization: antibodies directed against sperm If classic IVF fails