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OVARIAN STIMULATION AND INTRAUTERINE INSEMINATION (IUI) INTRACYTOPLASMIC SPERM INJECTION (ICSI) -- IN VITRO FERTILIZATION (IVF) IVF is an assisted reproductive technique that is used to treat infertility due to multiple etiologies including tubal disease, male factor, endometriosis, and unexplained factors. The treatment involves stimulation of the ovaries to make multiple eggs, removal of the eggs by an ultrasound directed needle aspiration, followed by insemination of the eggs in the laboraatory. The fertilized eggs, or embryos, are grown in culture for 3-5 days before being transferred into the uterine cavity. A woman's natural cycle is self-regulated to produce one egg per month. The use of various types of hormones allows us to override the natural cycle and stimulate the ovaries to make multiple eggs. Some of the commonly used hormons are: Lupron, Gonal-F, Fallistim, Pergonal, Remonex, and Profasi. Careful monitoring of the ovaries during treatment is essential for the development of high quality eggs as well as patient safety. When the eggs reach predicted maturity, an ultrasound guided aspiration procedure is scheduled and the eggs are harvested. Our embryologist then mixes the eggs with sperm or assists fertilization by sperm injection (ICSI). The embryos are then cultured in a tightly controlled laboratory environment for 3-5 days. Extra embryos may be frozen and stored until a later time. After several days in culture, several of the most advanced embryos are carefully transferred into the uterine cavity. A blood test twelve days later will diagnose pregnancy.
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