Assisted Reproduction

Assisted reproductive technology (ART) refers to all techniques involving direct retrieval of oocytes from the ovary. The first and still most common procedure is in vitro fertilization, but there is an ever-increasing list of technologies.

IVF - In Vitro Fertilization: extraction of oocytes, fertilization in the laboratory, transcervical transfer of embryos into the uterus.

GIFT - Gamete Intrafallopian Transfer: the placement of oocytes and sperm into the fallopian tube.

ZIFT - Zygote Intrafallopian Transfer: the placement of fertilized oocytes into the fallopian tube.

TET - Tubal Embryo Transfer: the placement of cleaving embryos into the fallopian tube.

POST - Peritoneal Oocyte and Sperm Transfer: the placement of oocytes and sperm into the pelvic cavity.

In addition, techniques of sperm retrieval and sperm injection are now part of the assisted reproductive technology armamentarium:

ICSI - Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (of a single spermatozoa).

TESE - Testicular Sperm Extraction.

MESA - Microsurgical Epididymal Sperm Aspiration.

It has been over two decades since the birth of the first child conceived by in vitro fertilization (IVF). During the intervening years, the number of IVF programs has increased to over 250 in the United States alone, technology has evolved, the success rate has improved dramatically, and indications for IVF have enlarged. In addition, procedures that utilize, some, but not all, of the methodology of IVF have become a part of clinical practice. (Source: Clinical Gynecologic Endocrinology and Infertility. Speroff, Glass, and Kase. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. 1999)