In vitro fertilization

This treatment consists of female gamete (oocyte) fertilization outside the body of the woman. Following oocyte fertilization, a limited number of the resulting embryos are transferred to the uterus of the patient, where they continue to develop naturally. This technique involves a series of steps:

Induction of ovulation

Under normal conditions, the ovaries produce a single follicle containing one ovule each month, though during in vitro fertilization the patient receives medical treatment to ensure the development of multiple follicles at the same time, thereby yielding several ovules simultaneously. This ensures the availability of a larger number of ovules which, once fertilized and transformed into embryos, can be transferred to the uterus – thereby improving the percentage success of the technique. The medical treatment inducing ovulation is controlled by frequent transvaginal ultrasound explorations, with laboratory tests of the hormones in blood. Once adequate ovule maturity has been achieved, and before spontaneous ovulation occurs, the next step of the technique is carried out.

Oocyte harvesting (ovules)

Once the ovules are mature, they are extracted through the vaginal wall. This technique is carried out in an operating theatre, since patient sedation is necessary to avoid any possible discomfort; general anesthesia is generally not needed, though an anesthetist is present in all cases. Following aspiration, the ovules and surrounding fluid and cells are immediately and carefully moved to the laboratory next door to the operating theatre, where our expert biologist completes the necessary analyses and preparations for fertilization.

Semen collection and capacitation

While the oocytes are being harvested, the male supplies a semen sample by masturbation, which is then taken to the Andrology Laboratory for sperm capacitation (separation of live and mobile sperm from the seminal fluid and sperm not suited for fertilization).

Fertilization of the ovules

Once the semen is prepared the process continues in the Biology Laboratory, where the embryologist places the sperm in culture medium along with the harvested oocytes, with incubation overnight. The union of the sperm and oocytes is examined the following morning to determine how many normal fertilizations have taken place.

Embryo transfer

The fertilized oocytes (embryos) are introduced in the uterus using a thin flexible catheter, which is passed through the uterine neck. A number of embryos suited to the particular characteristics of each patient are transferred, and the remaining embryos are frozen for use in subsequent cycles (if needed). This procedure requires no sedation or anesthesia, and the patient can return home after a brief rest, and return to her normal activities the day after.
In vitro fertilization is an assisted reproduction technique indicated for couples where the female presents Fallopian tube alterations that prevent the normal union of ovule and sperm, as well as in those cases where the male shows moderate reductions in sperm count or motility that complicate the natural fertilization mechanisms.