Reproductive technologies

• Artificial insemination/Intrauterine Insemination (IUI)

  • A catheter is sued to insert sperm into the uterus through the cervix
  • This enables a larger number of sperm to reach the uterine tubes and sperm that was once frozen may be used
  • Donor sperm may be used as well if the male partner does not have viable sperm.
  • High success rate (80%) over 3-6 cycles.
  • IUI may be used if
  • The man has low sperm count or decreased sperm motility
  • Erection/ejaculation dysfunction
  • Frozen sperm due to chemotherapy/radiation
  • Females with cervical scarring
  • Hostile cervical mucous
  • Same sex couples
  • Single females.
• Assisted reproductive technologies (ART)

  • When it is not possible for natural fertilisation to occur, fertilisation occurs in a lab and is transferred into the female
  • ART procedures are more expensive than other fertility treatments
  • 3 types:
  • In-vitro fertilisation (IVF)
  • Gamete intrafallopain Transfer (GIFT)
  • Intracytoplasmic Sperm injection (ICSI)
• IVF - Ova Collection

  • During IVF hormonal treatment is used to stimulate the ovaries so multiple follicles develop, control ovulation  and prepare the uterine lining
  • Blood tests and ultrasounds are used to monitor follicular development
  • Mature eggs are collected by a needle passing through the vagina to the ovaries
• IVF

  • Following their retrieval the eggs are mixed with sperm
  • 2-6- days after collection an embryo is inserted into the uterus via a catheter passed through the cervix
  • In Aus there are regulations regarding the number of embryos transferred per cycle to limit the risk of multiple pregnancies
  • IVF may be used when:
  • Fallopian tubes are blocked
  • Ovulation is disordered
  • The women suffered fro endometriosis or fibrous
  • The man has low sperm quality/count
• GIFT

  • Can be performed when there are normal uterine tubes and adequate sperm
  • Hormonal treatment is sued to stimulate egg production
  • Sperm and ova are collected and analysed and mixed together in a lab
  • The resultant mixture is injected into the woman’s uterine tubes itch the hope that sperm will fertilise the egg naturally
  • Has a lower success rate than other ART procedures and involves surgery
  • It is preferred however by some couples for religious/ethical reasons
• ICSI

  • Used if a mans sperm count is too low o sperm quality is insufficient to attempt IVF or GIFT
  • A single sperm is injected into a single egg and the resulting embryo is transplanted into the woman’s uterus
  • Fertilisation rate: 20-30%
  • Risks: increased incidences birth defects.
• Donors and surrogacy

  • A donor egg, sperm or embryo may be used if necessary
  • If a women is unable to conceive or carry a baby another women may beat the child for her (surrogate mother)
  • Here, the women may be artificially inseminated using the males semen or an embryo may be implanted after IVF.
  • There are strict regulations in Aus regarding donors and surrogacy including counselling, cooling off periods and health screening. The donor/surrogate mother should not be paid beyond expenses arising form the pregnancy.
• Frozen Embryos

  • There are typically ‘leftover’ embryos produced during IVF which are frozen and stored in liquid nitrogen tanks.
  • When embryos are no longer needed there are a range of options:
  • Disposal
  • Donation to research
  • Donation to other couples
  • The outcome of leftover embryos is a serious ethical and moral considerations and so the process is strictly regulated by legalities and guidelines.