Infertility rates have risen significantly in recent years when compared to earlier times. According to the World Health Organization, one out of every six couples is experiencing fertility challenges, which is leading to the requirement for further advances in reproductive medicine and fertility treatments.
The development of in vitro fertilization (IVF) marked a significant step forward for infertile couples. The birth of Louise Brown, the first test-tube baby, in 1978 was a turning point in fertility medicine. Since then, IVF has gained acceptance as a treatment for infertility.
What is IVF?
IVF is a reproductive treatment procedure where hormone therapy is used to stimulate the ovaries to produce a large number of eggs. The eggs are then retrieved and fertilized in a laboratory using sperm. The embryos formed as a result of the fertilization are then transferred back to the uterus for conception.
It is one of the most preferred fertility treatments as it results in the highest success rate of pregnancy. This success rate has been achieved due to many other factors which includes several advancements that took place in reproductive science over the years.
Developments in Reproductive Science
The advanced fertility procedures that were the direct results of years of research and development in the field of reproductive science have resulted in an increase in IVF success rates. These medical and technical advances have eliminated infertility and assisted in the freezing, transferring, and implantation of viable embryos, resulting in successful pregnancies.
The following are some of the most advanced treatments in reproductive medicine:
Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI)
ICSI is an important development in reproductive medicine, especially for male infertility. To help in fertilization, a single sperm of the best quality is injected into an egg, increasing the likelihood of successful fertilization and the generation of healthy embryos. Serious causes of male infertility and cases of azoospermia have become treatable due to this advancement.
Cryopreservation
Cryopreservation was an important breakthrough in fertility treatments as it allowed individuals to save their eggs, sperm, or embryos for future use.
Oocyte cryopreservation, commonly known as egg freezing, is the freezing of unfertilized eggs extracted from a woman’s ovaries. This approach allows women to postpone conception without fear of deteriorating egg quality and quantity caused by advanced maternal age. It can also be used to preserve eggs in cases of ovarian cancer, where the eggs may be damaged by radiation therapy. The cryopreserved eggs can later be thawed and fertilized using IVF.
Cryopreservation of sperm is another technique used in fertility treatments. It involves freezing and preserving sperm samples for future use. This method is particularly helpful for males who are experiencing infertility as a result of medical treatments or surgery.
Cryopreservation of embryos that were formed during the first IVF cycle but not used can also be preserved for future IVF cycles.
Stem Cell Treatment
Another significant development is the introduction of stem cell therapies in the area of fertility. For females struggling with infertility, stem cell therapy may prove to be helpful as it can aid in the development of ovarian cells and oocytes. In cases where women have a thin endometrium, endometrial cells are used to fix the issue and increase their overall fertility.
Spermatogonial stem cell (SSC) treatment, on the other hand, is used to cure male infertility. This method involves transferring the testicular stem cells to a test tube, cultivating them, and gently pushing them toward becoming fully developed sperm.
Testicular Sperm Aspiration (TESA)
TESA is a method used to extract sperm from males for IVF/ICSI. It is performed under local anesthesia and is coordinated with the female partner’s egg retrieval. A needle is placed into the testicle and tissue/sperm is extracted. TESA is performed on males with obstructive azoospermia.
Preimplantation genetic testing (PGT)
PGT is a procedure for detecting chromosomal genetic abnormalities in embryos produced for In vitro fertilization (IVF), before implantation. This test is only performed when either or both parents possess a known genetic abnormality. The test determines whether the embryo also has a genetic defect or not, allowing the selection of healthy embryos for transfer.
FSH for Eliminating Injections
FSH is a crucial hormone that controls ovarian follicle development and expansion in women, resulting in the release of fully developed eggs during ovulation. In men, sperm production in the testes is stimulated by FSH. As a result, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) receptors (FSHR) are essential to the reproductive system.
When FSH is taken orally, it can improve ovulation induction as well as address male infertility, and eliminate the need for injections for ovarian stimulation during IVF or egg freezing.
Blastocyst Transfer
A blastocyst is the earliest stage of an embryo, generated five to six days following the sperm fertilizing the egg. Blastocyst embryo transfer or blastocyst culture is a specialized In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) method in which a blastocyst-stage embryo is transferred to the womb. An extended culture is done after the Blastocyst culture to improve the chances of implantation and pregnancy, especially in cases where the patient has suffered from multiple IVF failures.
The Assisted Hatching Technique
The Assisted Hatching Technique is the process of creating a tiny opening in the outer layer of the embryo. It can assist in increasing the chances of implantation which improves the likelihood of pregnancy.
Time-Lapse Embryo Imaging
Time-lapse embryo imaging enhances the uninterrupted culture conditions and allows the continuous monitoring of embryos, helping embryologists to identify and select the best embryos for transfer.
Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP)
PRP is a concentrated blood product with a high platelet density. PRP is used in a variety of fertility treatments, including IUI and IVF, to thicken the uterine lining and increase endometrial receptivity during embryo transfer. It is most commonly used in patients who have had a history of recurrent implantation failures.
Although the developments happening are vast in the field of reproductive medicine, what truly ensures successful results, is getting the treatment done from a reliable fertility clinic, under the guidance and care of expert fertility doctors. The clinic and staff play a huge role as experience in conducting such advanced procedures is necessary for successful results. These are delicate treatments that must be handled with utmost sincerity and focus. It is also important to deal with the individuals and couples suffering from infertility, with sympathy and care as it is a tough time for them and it is the fertility clinic and doctors’ duty to ensure they remain hopeful and positive throughout their journey towards parenthood.
Progenesis IVF Center is an established chain of fertility clinics that was started with the motive of providing the best fertility care and treatments for individuals and couples dealing with infertility. The clinic provides all advanced treatments and diagnostic procedures under one roof and the fertilization of sperm and oocytes is also done in their world-class, in-house laboratory. The fertility specialists in Progenesis have years of experience in the field and therefore know what personalized treatment will yield maximum results for each patient, based on their individual needs. The clinic is currently spread across Maharashtra, with new branches on its way, to ensure every couple gets the best fertility treatments to achieve their dreams of becoming parents.
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