What is Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART)?
Assisted Reproductive Technology, or ART, includes a variety of medical procedures used to address infertility. These advanced treatments involve manipulating eggs, sperm, or embryos to increase the chances of successful fertilization and pregnancy.
ART is typically recommended for couples who have tried other fertility treatments without success. Under the guidance of fertility specialists, ART can help couples overcome infertility challenges and achieve a healthy pregnancy.
Who needs ART treatment?
1. Patients with blockage/nonfunctioning of fallopian tubes: eggs and sperm meet in fallopian tubes and for initial five-day embryos develop in tubes. Any damage/ blockage or distortion of anatomy which changes ovarian – fallopian tube relationship can cause infertility
2. Women with ovulatory disorders: Regular egg development is needed for a healthy conception. If the egg doesn’t grow well or doesn’t rupture in time, it can lead to difficulty in conception.
3. Endometriosis: It’s a condition where endometrial tissue is found outside the uterine cavity, leading to distortion of pelvic anatomy and severe pain. It is also known to affect the function of cilia in fallopian tubes. These patients respond very well to IVF.
4. Low sperm count and motility: Men produce sperms in millions and can continue to produce till advance age. How ever, According to WHO, at least 15 million sperms with minimum of 32% progressive motility is needed for conception. Intracytoplasmic sperm infusion technique (ICSI) can help men father their own biological child even at sperm count of less than 1 million.
5. Azoospermia: Patients without any visible sperm in ejaculate can still be producing sperm in testis. Sperm can be taken out with surgical techniques and used for fertilizing eggs.
6. Fibroid uterus: Fibroids are benign tumors which can distort uterine cavities an increase its size. This can affect embryo implantation and cause recurrent abortions at time. IVF can help in cases where anatomy is distorted due to fibroids.
7. Unexplained infertility: It becomes difficult to identify the exact cause for infertility in 30% of cases. IVF /ICSI helps in those cases as many steps involved in conception can be controlled by it.
8. Genetic disorders: Couples carrying genetic disorders e.g. thalassemia minor. Hemophilia, sickle cell disease, chromosomal defects, previous genetically abnormal child can resort to IVF with pre-implantation genetic testing (PGT-A)
9. Fertility preservation: It is a boon for patients who are undergoing chemotherapy/radiotherapy for cancer/bone marrow transplant. Eggs or sperms can be frozen for 10y and can safely be used later. The social freezing of gametes also gives flexibility to couples in planning family/career.
Types of ART Treatments
ART includes several different procedures, each tailored to address specific fertility issues. The most common and widely used ART treatments are Intrauterine insemination (IUI), In Vitro Fertilization (IVF), Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI), and Frozen Embryo Transfer (FET).
In Vitro Fertilization (IVF)
IVF is the most well-known ART treatment. It involves extracting a woman’s eggs and fertilizing them with sperm in a laboratory setting. The fertilized eggs, now called embryos, are transferred into the woman’s uterus.
IVF is a versatile treatment that can address various infertility issues, including tubal factor infertility, where the fallopian tubes are either blocked or damaged, thereby preventing natural conception. IVF has a high success rate, and many couples achieve pregnancy after one or more cycles.
Frozen Embryo Transfer (FET)
Frozen Embryo Transfer (FET) is a growingly popular ART method. It involves thawing frozen embryos and transferring them into the woman’s uterus. FET is beneficial because it allows couples to use embryos from a previous IVF cycle, eliminating the need for repeated egg retrieval and hormone stimulation.
FET can be performed even in a natural cycle or with hormone preparation to enhance the chances of implantation and pregnancy.
Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI)
ICSI is often used in conjunction with IVF to address male infertility issues. In the case of ICSI, a single sperm is directly injected into an egg for fertilization. This technique is particularly useful for men with low sperm counts or poor sperm motility.
ICSI has a success rate similar to traditional IVF and can significantly improve the chances of fertilization and pregnancy for couples facing male-factor infertility.
Other ART Treatments
In addition to the main ART procedures, several other treatments can assist couples in their journey to parenthood:
- Egg Donation: Involves using eggs from a donor, which are fertilized with the partner’s sperm and transferred to the woman’s uterus.
- Sperm donation: couples where husband has azoospermia, they can achieve pregnancy by using donor sperm from ART bank. Either IUI with donor sperm or IVF can be used to achieve pregnancy in such cases.
- Semen Freezing for fertility preservation: Sperm is collected and frozen for future use, providing flexibility in timing for ART treatments. Cancer patients undergoing chemoradiotherapy
- Egg Freezing for fertility preservation : Allows preserving of eggs for future use, which can be particularly beneficial for those who want to delay pregnancy.
Preparation for ART
Preparing for ART treatments involves several steps to ensure the best possible outcome. A fertility specialist will guide couples through the preparation process, which may include dietary changes, regular exercise, and lifestyle modifications.
It is important to maintain a healthy weight, reduce or quit smoking and drinking, and manage stress levels. Supplements and vitamins may also be recommended to improve overall reproductive health. Thorough medical evaluations and fertility tests are conducted to tailor the treatment plan to the couple’s specific needs.
Tubal Factor Infertility and ART
Tubal factor infertility is a condition where the fallopian tubes are blocked or damaged, preventing the egg and sperm from meeting naturally. This can be caused by various factors, including pelvic inflammatory disease, endometriosis, or previous surgeries.
ART treatments, particularly IVF, are highly effective in overcoming tubal factor infertility. Since IVF bypasses the fallopian tubes by fertilizing the egg in a laboratory and then transferring the embryo directly into the uterus, it offers a viable solution for couples with this condition.
Final Thoughts
Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) has revolutionized the field of infertility treatment, offering hope and solutions to couples who struggle to conceive. With various advanced procedures like IVF, intrafallopian transfer, FET, and ICSI, ART can address a wide range of infertility issues, including tubal factor infertility.
Assisted Reproductive Technology is a beacon of hope for those struggling with infertility. Understanding the different types of ART treatments, preparing adequately, and consulting with a fertility specialist can make a significant difference in the outcome.
Whether dealing with tubal factor infertility or other fertility issues, ART offers a promising solution to achieve the dream of parenthood. Remember, every couple’s journey is unique, and with the right treatment plan, the dream of becoming a parent can become a reality.
FAQs
1. What are the various types of assisted reproductive technology?
The main types of assisted reproductive technology (ART) include In Vitro Fertilization (IVF), Intrafallopian Transfer (GIFT and ZIFT), Frozen Embryo Transfer (FET), and Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI). These methods help address various infertility issues by manipulating eggs, sperm, or embryos.
2. What are the steps of assisted reproductive technology?
The steps of ART typically include:
- Ovarian stimulation to produce multiple eggs.
- Egg retrieval from the ovaries.
- Fertilization of eggs with sperm in a lab.
- Culturing embryos until they reach a suitable stage.
- Transferring embryos into the uterus.
- Monitoring for pregnancy.
3. What is the importance of assisted reproductive technology?
ART is essential for couples facing infertility, providing them with advanced options to conceive. It helps overcome various infertility issues, including tubal factor infertility, and increases the chances of a successful pregnancy, offering hope to those who might otherwise be unable to have children.
4. What are the stages of IVF?
The stages of IVF include:
1. Ovarian stimulation with fertility medications.
2. Egg retrieval from the ovaries.
3. Fertilization of eggs and sperm in a lab.
4. Embryo culture and development.
5. Embryo transfers into the uterus.
6. Monitoring for pregnancy and implantation success.
5. What is the disadvantage of IVF?
A primary disadvantage of IVF is its high cost, which can be a financial burden for many couples. Additionally, IVF carries risks such as multiple pregnancies, ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome, and the potential for ectopic pregnancy, which can lead to further health complications.
