What is IVF ? What is ICSI ? What are the risk factors ?

IVF, or In vitro fertilization, is an assisted reproductive technique through which couples who are suffering from infertility mainly due to problems in fallopian tubes or male factors are able to get pregnant. Test tube baby is a non-medical term to designate the baby who is given birth using the IVF technique.

- Dr. Emili Banerjee Bhattacharjee, Clinical Geneticist and Genetic Counselor, MFC Women and Child Care, Howrah, West Bengal

What are the main steps for IVF?

IVF is a minimally invasive procedure. We can divide IVF into three major steps: Pre-requisite, during the process and after the process.

Pre-requisite

A blood test of the mother for ovarian reserve assessment is done mainly through the testing of anti-mullerian hormone (AMH), follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and inhibin B. AMH levels can be measured any day of the month and the levels of FSH (a hormone that supports the maturation of ovarian follicle) are measured on the third day of the menstrual cycle. If high levels of AMH and FSH are required to start the maturation, it signals a low ovarian reserve. Inhibin B levels are assessed on the third day of the menstrual cycle and it also determines the quantity of ovarian reserve.

Sperm tests are done mainly by semen analysis and sperm functional tests, including sperm motility, vitality and morphology (mainly examined using microscopy).

During infertility testing, ultrasound scans help provide information about the ovaries, endometrial lining and uterus. During fertility treatment, ultrasound is used to monitor follicle development in the ovaries and the thickness of the endometrial lining.

If the semen analysis reveals no sperm or very low sperm count in the ejaculation, then the intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) procedure is used. After Testicular Sperm Aspiration or Extraction (TESA or TESE), the collected sperms are directly injected into the ovum.