Solutions to Infertility

Reproductive Technologies

1. Artificial Insemination (AI)

• injecting a sample of sperm from the male partner into the female partner's reproductive tract.

Used by.....- infertile couple (ie man with a low sperm

count)- woman without a partner who wants a child

2. In Vitro Fertilization (IVF)

– fertilization takes place outside the body in a laboratory procedure

– fertilized oocytes are implanted in the uterus

– may be used in conjunction with “in vitro maturation”

• in vitro maturation (IVM) - where primary follicles are removed and induced to mature into secondary follicles.

• IVM is used to produce numerous oocytes for IVF

• Used by....– a woman with damaged or blocked oviducts

3. Superovulation• FSH injections

• HCG (human chorionic gonadotropin) injections mimics effect of LH

Used to....

produce multiple eggs for IVF or to increase the chance of pregnancy

4. Surrogate Motherhood• Either

– a fertilized oocyte from from an infertile couple is placed in the uterus of a surrogate mother

• or– a surrogate undergoes AI using sperm from the

male of an infertile couple

Used by....

a woman who cannot bring a child to term

5. Cryopreservation

• oocytes, semen or embryo are preserved by freezing

Used by....

a male or female cancer patient who may become sterile due to radiation therapy

a sperm bank that supplies semen for AI