In vitro fertilisation and other artificial reproductive technology - methods - review paper

Abstract

Technology in human assisted reproduction has certainly shown great advances during the past couple of decades. In Vitro Fertilisation (IVF) is only one of those techniques which are offering infertile couples the possibility of experiencing parenthood. Infertility affects one's life at the very core-feelings of anger, depression and guilt are very commonly experienced by infertile couples. The causes of infertility are many; amongst the most common are blockages of the fallopian tubes, endometriosis, low sperm counts and poor sperm motility and/or morphology. IVF, however, is not the answer to all fertility problems. IVF is mostly suitable in those cases where there are fallopian tube problems or cervical mucus which is hostile to sperm, since in IVF both the passage of the ovum through the fallopian tube and the passage of sperm through the cervix are by-passed. There are various alternatives to IVF, such as Artificial Insemination (AI) and Gamete Intrafallopian Transfer (GIFT). The latest innovative technique, Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI), which in the future might replace traditional IVF involves the injection of sperm directly into the ovum and is hence ideal for those cases with severe male factor infertility. The setback with all the advances that are being witnessed in assisted reproduction is that they also give rise to many ethical questions. Different countries, with different social, legal, religious and moral backgrounds have different opinions regarding the research on embryos, third-party parenting and gamete/embryo freezing. This study describes the main procedures, techniques and equipments that are used in IVF and its alternatives, as well as the benefits and the ethical implications that such techniques give rise to.