assisted fertilisation

• GAMETE INTRAFALLOPIAN TRANSFER (GIFT)

  Procedure that can be performed when there are normal uterine tubes and adequate sperm
• GAMETE INTRAFALLOPIAN TRANSFER (GIFT)

  1. Hormonal treatment stimulates female to produce more than one egg
  2. Sperm and egg are collected and analysed
  3. Sperm and egg are mixed together in laboratory
  4. Sperm and egg mixture is injected into uterine tubes during laparoscopic surgery

  hopes sperm will then fertilise egg naturally and move down uterine tubes before implanting
• GAMETE INTRAFALLOPIAN TRANSFER (GIFT)

  Disadvantages : 

  • Lower pregnancy rate 
  • Requires surgery

  Advantages : 

  • Fertilisation occurs naturally, so is preferred for religious or ethical reasons
• IN VITRO FERTILISATION (IVF)

  Overcomes : 

  • Blocked uterine tubes
  • Ovulation disorders
  • Endometriosis
  • Fibroids
  • Low sperm quality / production
  • Unexplained infertility 
• IN VITRO FERTILISATION (IVF)

  1. Hormone treatment stimulates ovaries so multiple follicles develop, controls ovulation, prepares uterine lining 
  2. Series of blood test and ultrasounds monitor development of follicles
  3. Eggs are collected when mature by passing needle through vagina to ovaries 
  4. Eggs are mixed with sperm in suitable environment at 37°C to maximise chances of fertilisation 
  5. 2-6 days after collection, an embryo is inserted into the uterus via a catheter passed through cervix
• IN VITRO FERTILISATION (IVF)

  In Australia, regulations regarding the number of embryos transferred per cycle limit the risk of multiple pregnancies

  Unused embryos are able to be frozen for use in future cycles
• INTRACYTOPLASMIC SPERM INJECTION (ICSI)

  If there is a problem with the sperm, it is likely that it will not be able to fertilise the egg unassisted
• INTRACYTOPLASMIC SPERM INJECTION (ICSI)

  very similar to IVF

  1. Eggs are examined once collected to ensure that they are suitable
  2. Sperm is injected into the egg, achieving fertilisation
  3. Resulting cells are monitored, and any that are developing normally are able to be inseminated
• INTRACYTOPLASMIC SPERM INJECTION (ICSI)

  Disadvantage : 

  • If reason for male infertility is genetic, it may be passed on

  → recommended that children born from ICSI are examined by a paediatrician

  Genetic testing can be done prior to undertaking ICSI, and if there is a genetic defect, other options may be considered
• SURGICAL SPERM RETRIEVAL

  Some men are unable to ejaculate, or very low numbers of sperm are released

  
  

  Sperm may be collected during surgery to be used in IVF and ICSI

  Needle is used to collect sperm from the epididymis or testis

  
  

  Performed under local or general anaesthetic