In vitro fertilization and embryo transfer in Egypt

The introduction of medically assisted human reproduction (MAHR) in the Arab world had to overcome initial resistance because of cultural, social, religious and financial limitations. The paper discusses the problems associated with the practice of in vitro fertilization (IVF) and embryo transfer (ET) and the limitations in Egypt through the authors' experience during the period March 1986 to March 1989. The results of the management of 359 patients scheduled for the IVF and ET program at the Egyptian I.V.F. and E.T. Center, Maadi, Cairo, using different protocols are discussed. The maximum pregnancy rate achieved using the GnRH analogue agonist protocol for stimulation was 20.13 per transfer. It is concluded that in developing countries prevention of the tubal factor of infertility is better than treatment, which is uncertain and expensive. Also some techniques of MAHR that may improve the results cannot be implemented in the Arab and Islamic World.