Top 5 Techniques Used in IVF

In the last decade there have been a number of new techniques used to treat people undergoing IVF treatment. Some of these techniques have revolutionised the treatment of infertility, and more people than ever can now be treated. Here are 5 techniques which have had an impact on the field of assisted reproduction:

1) Embryo monitoring. There has been a lot of discussion recently about this technique being a ‘breakthrough” in IVF. Basically, this technique uses time-lapse imaging to monitor early embryos as they develop. Information about the way they are dividing and the milestones which they pass is analysed by the embryologist. Based on this information, the embryologist can decide which embryos are more likely to implant, and so will choose these better developing ones for embryo transfer. In the UK this technique costs around £750, but in some countries in Europe it can be a lot cheaper.

2) ICSI -Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection. This is a variation of conventional IVF. The eggs are collected as in IVF but instead of mixing sperm with the eggs in a dish, the embryologist will select the healthiest looking sperm and inject a single one into the egg. This overcomes any problems that the sperm may have in physically getting inside an egg.

3) IMSI – Intracytoplasmic Morphologically Selected Sperm Injection. Another variation of ICSI. A high-powered microscope is used to pick out the best sperm cells which are then used in a traditional ICSI procedure.

4) MACS – Magnetic Activated Cell Sorting. This technique is used to remove dying sperm. The sperm sample is washed and then subjected to antibody-coated magnetic beads which stick to sperm which are dying. A magnetic field is used to remove these from the sample before being used in treatment.

5) Comparative Genomic Hybridization (CGH). A technique employed to detect chromosomal abnormalities in the developing embryo. CGH looks for changes in the number of copies of a chromosome by comparing the ratio of fluorescent probes from a normal cell and an embryonic cell. This technique has overcome some of the problem associated with older techniques like FISH, as CGH can detect abnormalities in potentially all chromosomes, and not just a few.

These techniques, and others, offer infertile couples the opportunity to undergo treatment and potentially have their own child. In particular, male factor infertility has been revolutionised with the introduction of ICSI and IMSI. It is hoped that new treatments and techniques being developed now will help even more people.

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