Advanced Institute for Infertility

In Vitro Fertilization is commonly referred to as IVF. IVF is the process of fertilization by manually combining an egg and sperm in a laboratory dish.

When the IVF procedure is successful, the process is combined with a procedure known as embryo transfer, which is used to physically place the embryo in the uterus:

• Ovulation Induction
  Fertility medications are prescribed to control the development of healthy eggs in the ovaries. Monitoring includes examining the ovaries using ultrasound and checking your hormone levels with urine or blood tests.
• Egg Collection
  Eggs are retrieved through a minor surgical procedure which uses ultrasound imaging to guide a hollow needle through the pelvic cavity.
• Secure the sperm
  Sperm is prepared for combining with the eggs.
• Combine the eggs and sperm together in the lab
  The sperm and eggs are placed in incubators located in the laboratory where fertilization occurs. When fertilization is suspected to be low, intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) may be used. A single sperm is injected directly into the egg in an attempt to achieve fertilization. Monitoring takes place to confirm that fertilization and cell division are occurring. Once eggs are fertilized, they are then considered embryos.
• Transfer embryos into the uterus
  The embryos are typically transferred into the woman's uterus anywhere from one to six days later. A predetermined number of embryos are suspended in fluid and gently placed through a catheter into the womb.

Preimplantation genetic testing is a technique used to identify genetic defects in embryos created through in vitro fertilization (IVF) before pregnancy.

PGD and PGS are presently the only options available for avoiding a high risk of having a child affected with a genetic disease. It is an attractive means of preventing heritable genetic disease before implantation.

• Semen Analysis
  Preimplantation genetic testing is a technique used to identify genetic defects in embryos created through in vitro fertilization (IVF) before pregnancy.
  
  PGD and PGS are presently the only options available for avoiding a high risk of having a child affected with a genetic disease. It is an attractive means of preventing heritable genetic disease before implantation.
• Testicular Sperm Extraction (TESE)
  Testicular Sperm Extraction (TESE) involves removing a small portion of tissue from the testicle and extracting the few viable sperm cells present for the purpose of intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). The testicular sperm extraction process is recommended to men who are unable to produce sperm by ejaculation as a result of primary testicular failure, congenital absence of the vas deferens, or non-reconstructed vasectomy.
• Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI)
  ICSI is recommended when achieving fertilization may be difficult. ICSI is most often used with couples who are dealing with male infertility factors. Male infertility factors can include any of the following problems: low sperm counts, poor motility or movement of the sperm, poor sperm quality, or sperm that lack the ability to penetrate an egg.
  
  Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) and testicular sperm extraction (TESE) reduces the need for donor sperm.

IUI is a fertility treatment often selected by couples who have been trying to conceive for at least one year but who have no known reasons for their infertility.

Intrauterine insemination (IUI) is a procedure which involves placing sperm inside a woman's uterus to facilitate fertilization. It may also be selected as a fertility treatment with any of the following conditions:

• Low sperm count
• Decreased sperm mobility
• Requirement of donor sperm
• A cervical condition, such as cervical mucus that is too thick
• Sexual dysfunction

Although IUI still requires the sperm to reach and fertilize the egg on its own, it is important to make sure that the sperm is healthy and mobile. IUI provides the sperm an advantage by giving it a head start, but it still has to seek out the egg on its own.