In Vitro Fertilization Program

Abstract

Rapid progress has been made in the field of infertility since the first IVF (in vitro fertilization) baby was born in 1978. Controlled ovarian stimulation with FSH is currently the standard procedure for ovarian stimulation before follicular aspiration. Gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonists and antagonists have been used to prevent endogenous LH surge during controlled ovarian hyperstimulation.The goal of controlled ovarian stimulation with gonadotropins is to obtain a large number of mature oocytes and thereby improve the likelihood of obtaining an adequate number of embryos for subsequent transfer. IVF was initially presented as a treatment for tubal factor infertility but was quickly utilized in other areas in the field of infertility, such as male factor infertility and even ovarian failure. ICSI (intracytoplasmic sperm injection) is a more recent approach for male factor treatment, which allows the sperm to be directly injected into the egg using micromanipulation. Preimplantation genetic diagnosis can be performed on embryos prior to the embryo transfer. The complications associated with the IVF program include ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome and multiple pregnancies. The multiple pregnancies are directly related to the practice of transferring multiple embryos at embryo transfer. Each IVF clinic publishes its pregnancy rates. However, comparisons between clinics are difficult because the success rates vary depending on the distribution of underlying causes and age of the patients. The current take-home-baby rate is only 34.7%. In 2005, the Korean government enacted a law to regulate many aspects of IVF practice.