Coming this Spring: In-Person Health Care in Lubbock, Texas
Third-party reproduction refers to the use of a person that is not an intended parent to achieve fertilization and/or a pregnancy. Common types of third-party reproduction include the use of a gestational carrier or donor sperm, eggs, and/or embryos.
ViewOvulation induction (OI) involves administering a series of medications to induce ovulation (the expulsion of an egg from the ovary). Ovulation induction can be used in conjunction with timed intercourse, IUI, or IVF to achieve fertilization and pregnancy. OI is most common for women with abnormal menstrual cycles or anovulation (no ovulation).
ViewIn vitro fertilization (IVF) is a series of procedures that involve fertilizing eggs (oocytes) outside of the body. Fertilized eggs can then develop into embryos, which can be transferred into a woman’s uterus to achieve a pregnancy, frozen, and/or biopsied for preimplantation genetic testing (PGT).
ViewIntrauterine insemination (IUI) is a procedure that involves injecting a semen (sperm) sample into a woman’s uterus in an attempt to achieve a pregnancy. This minimally-invasive procedure can be performed in a few minutes in an IVF clinic.
ViewAnti-Mullerian hormone (AMH) is an important hormone for fetal reproductive development. As adults, a woman’s AMH level can estimate how many eggs are remaining inside of her ovaries (her ovarian reserve) and how she will respond to certain medications. In general, the lower a woman’s AMH level, the fewer eggs remaining in her ovaries.
ViewThe process of reproduction involves a lot of steps. A male must produce sperm, which must come into contact with a mature egg at the right time. A female must undergo monthly menstrual cycles to release (ovulate) these mature eggs so that fertilization can occur. And then the fertilized egg (embryo) must find its way into the uterus, implant, and continue to grow. A healthy pregnancy results when all of these steps work together in perfect harmony, primarily under the control of reproductive hormones.
ViewThe male reproductive system has two primary functions: to produce sperm and the hormone testosterone. Testosterone drives the production of sperm, the male gamete, which is produced in the testicles. Sperm then move through a series of organs before exiting the body during an ejaculation.
ViewIVF monitoring has two components. First, routine ultrasounds are performed to measure the follicles (which contain eggs) in the ovaries. Second, blood is obtained to measure the blood hormone levels. IVF monitoring helps your healthcare provider determine how your body is responding to the IVF medications, how close you are to ovulation, and if you are at risk for OHSS.
ViewIVF medications have two main functions. First, they stimulate the maturation of multiple eggs so multiple mature eggs can be retrieved. Second, they prevent premature ovulation from occurring. If this occurs, no eggs can be retrieved during the egg retrieval. At times, other medications are also prescribed for an IVF cycle.
ViewIn vitro fertilization (IVF) and infertility are complex topics that can be difficult to understand. On top of that, both subjects are compiled with acronyms and abbreviations. This is a list of the most common acronyms and abbreviations that you may encounter when you are learning about IVF and infertility.
ViewThere are two main functions of the female reproductive system. First, it allows for the maturation and release (ovulation) of an egg each menstrual cycle. This egg has the potential to be fertilized by sperm and implant into the uterine lining. The second function of the female reproductive system is to carry a pregnancy to term. Certain abnormalities can create obstacles in either of these functions and cause infertility.
ViewCertain abnormalities can inhibit sperm production and transport, which can cause infertility.
ViewSperm cells are the male gametes that are required to fertilize an egg. Sperm cells contain the genetic information (DNA) that is passed onto the offspring when fertilization occurs. In assisted reproduction, a sperm sample is obtained and washed (cleaned) prior to insemination. It’s important that a sperm sample has a normal count, motility (movement), and morphology (normal appearance), but any abnormalities in these parameters can often be overcome with ICSI.
ViewPreimplantation genetic testing (PGT) involves removing 5-10 cells from an embryo and analyzing the DNA inside those cells. This screening test determines if the embryo’s cells have certain genetic abnormalities, such as an extra or missing chromosome. Embryos that have a high number of normal cells are recommended for embryo transfer.
ViewAll mature eggs must be inseminated in order to develop into embryos that can be transferred. Insemination refers to the exposure of sperm to an egg, during which time the sperm should deposit its DNA into the egg (this is known as fertilization). Eggs can be inseminated through standard insemination or intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI).
ViewEmbryos that develop in the IVF lab may need to be frozen for future use for multiple reasons. These embryos are coated in a cryoprotectant medium and stored in a liquid nitrogen tank. At a later date, an embryo can be thawed (warmed) by removing it from the liquid nitrogen and safely warming it through a series of media drops.
ViewEmbryos that reach a specific stage of development are eligible for transfer into a woman’s uterus. As the uterus is visualized with an ultrasound, the embryo is loaded into a catheter and injected into the uterus. Over the next few days, the embryo should implant into the uterine lining (endometrium) to initiate a pregnancy.
ViewAll embryos begin as one cell, which is known as a zygote. Over the course of a few days in the IVF lab, an embryo should divide into over 100 cells! These cells eventually develop into both the fetus and the placenta. At this point, the embryos are evaluated and graded based on their physical characteristics.
ViewDuring an egg (oocyte) retrieval, eggs are collected from their follicles in the ovaries. These eggs are then cleaned and graded before being frozen or inseminated in the IVF lab.
View