[Assisted reproductive techniques: key procedures and results in Germany and Europe]

The wide application of in vitro fertilization (IVF) since the 1980s years has revolutionized the treatment of infertility. Since then more than four million babies have been born following IVF. Diversification of the original IVF has led to many new techniques. Besides the basic procedures such as intrauterine insemination (IUI), IVF and intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), new techniques such as cryopreservation and genetic analysis have become an integral part of reproductive medicine. This moves patients into the focus of ART who are not "classic" infertility patients. Cryopreservation of unfertilized oocytes and ovarian tissue offers cancer patients the opportunity to preserve fertility. Genetic analysis on polar bodies or embryonic cells can help patients with genetic diseases or carriers of genetic disorders towards a healthy child.