User:Z3333865
Lab Attendance
Lab 1 --Z3333865 11:00, 25 July 2012 (EST)
Lab Exercises
Lab 1
Question 1
As stated by IVF-worldwide, the history of In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) and embryo transfer (ET) dates back as early as the 1890s. Walter Heape, a professor and physician at the University of Cambridge, England, had been conducting research on reproduction in a number of animal species. He reported the first known case of embryo transplantation in rabbits, long before the applications to human fertility were even suggested. IVF history
IVF-worldwide also explains that in 1965, Robert Edwards together with Georgeanna and Howard Jones at Johns Hopkins Hospital in the USA attempted to fertilize human oocytes in vitro. The first IVF pregnancy was reported in 1973 by the Monash research team of Professors Carl Wood and John Leeton in Melbourne, Australia. Unfortunately, this resulted in early miscarriage. The first ever IVF birth occurred in Oldham, England on July 25, 1978. This birth was the result of the collaborative work of Patrick Steptoe and Robert Edwards. IVF history
Robert Edwards was awarded the 2010 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for the development of human In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) therapy. His achievements have made it possible to help treat infertility, which affects more than 1 in 10 couples worldwide. 2010 Nobel Prize
Question 2
<pubmed>PMC3353509</pubmed>
Traditional IVF methods involve the assisted fertilization of the oocytes with the spermatozoa. This is performed in the laboratory, whereby the physiological conditions to which the gametes are normally exposed in vivo are simulated. However, INVO (intravaginal culture of oocytes), is a simplified procedure and alternative option to conventional IVF. This assisted reproduction procedure uses the maternal vaginal cavity for incubation, instead of laboratory equipment.
Investigated in this study is the outcome of the INVO procedure and how this compares to the conventional IVF methods.
Data was obtained regarding pregnancy, live birth, and single live birth rates. Results of this study showed that the INVO procedure had comparable successful rates with traditional IVF.
Statistics from 2008 on traditional IVF: the pregnancy, live birth, and singleton live birth rates per oocyte retrieval were 41.6%, 33.8%, and 23%, respectively.
Statistics from this study on INVO: the pregnancy, live birth, and singleton live birth rates per oocyte retrieval were 40%, 31.2%, and 24%, respectively.
The study also concluded that the most significant factor determining the success rate was the age of the mother. In terms of pregnancy, live birth, and single live birth rates, a significant decrease was observed across the groups of age from ≤29 until ≥40 years old.
Results obtained by this study suggest that INVO procedures could be a viable alternative treatment for infertile patients.
