IVF In Vitro Fertilisation

The fertilisation in Vitro (IVF) is the technique of assisted reproduction in which the union of the ovules and the sperm occurs in the laboratory (hence the name “in vitro”) to become embryos that will be transferred to the uterus days later. If gestation occurs, it will evolve naturally or any other type of pregnancy.

The embryo needs to be incubated in the proper environment for its development (temperature, darkness, osmolarity, pH and basic nutrients). In the Fertilab Assisted Reproduction and Embryology Laboratory we try to make the environment more likely to occur in the fallopian tubes if the fertilization had been “in vivo”. On the third day, the embryo, which still did not differentiate, usually has 8 cells. Each cell has the same genetic information and are called pluripotential. It is from this moment that embryos require substances and growth factors and therefore, that it is the best time to transfer to the uterus.

Usually, IVF is accompanied by a hormonal treatment for the development of more than one ovule. Ideally, we try to achieve the growth of about 8-10 follicles between both ovaries. This increases the chances of obtaining a viable bottle to be implanted.