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Related Concept Videos

In Vitro Fertilization01:24

In Vitro Fertilization

In vitro fertilization (IVF) is a form of assisted reproductive technology where an egg is fertilized with sperm in a controlled laboratory environment before transferring the resulting embryo into the uterus. This process is designed to help individuals and couples experiencing difficulties conceiving.
The IVF process begins with ovarian stimulation, during which reproductive endocrinologists prescribe hormonal medications to stimulate the ovaries to produce multiple eggs instead of the single...
Infertility in Females01:28

Infertility in Females

Female infertility is defined as the inability to conceive after a year of regular, unprotected intercourse and affects about 10–15% of couples worldwide. The primary cause of female infertility is ovulatory disorders, which hinder the release of eggs. These disorders can be classified as hypothalamic amenorrhea, polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), premature ovarian failure, and hyperprolactinemic anovulation disorders.
Endometriosis, a condition characterized by abnormal growth of endometrial...
Infertility in Males01:23

Infertility in Males

Male infertility affects millions of couples worldwide, arising from various factors that impact different stages of the reproductive process. An endocrine imbalance resulting from conditions like hypogonadism, Klinefelter syndrome, or pituitary disorders can disrupt hormone levels and reduce sperm production. Testicular defects, such as tumors, cryptorchidism, atrophic testes, abnormal sperm morphology, and low sperm count or motility, may arise due to genetic factors, structural...
Fertilization01:38

Fertilization

During fertilization, an egg and sperm cell fuse to create a new diploid structure. In humans, the process occurs once the egg has been released from the ovary, and travels into the fallopian tubes. The process requires several key steps: 1) sperm present in the genital tract must locate the egg; 2) once there, sperm need to release enzymes to help them burrow through the protective zona pellucida of the egg; and 3) the membranes of a single sperm cell and egg must fuse, with the sperm...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 23, 2026

OP-IVM: Combining In vitro Maturation after Oocyte Retrieval with Gynecological Surgery
05:31

OP-IVM: Combining In vitro Maturation after Oocyte Retrieval with Gynecological Surgery

Published on: May 9, 2021

In vitro fertilisation for unexplained subfertility.

Zabeena Pandian1, Ahmed Gibreel, Siladitya Bhattacharya

  • 1Obstetrics andGynaecology,AberdeenMaternityHospital,Aberdeen,UK. z.pandian@abdn.ac.uk

The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews
|April 20, 2012
PubMed
Summary

In vitro fertilisation (IVF) shows higher live birth rates than expectant management for unexplained infertility. However, its effectiveness compared to intrauterine insemination (IUI) alone or with stimulation requires more research due to limited data.

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Human Blastocyst Biopsy and Vitrification
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Last Updated: May 23, 2026

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Human Blastocyst Biopsy and Vitrification
10:59

Human Blastocyst Biopsy and Vitrification

Published on: July 26, 2019

Area of Science:

  • Reproductive Medicine
  • Infertility Treatments
  • Clinical Trials

Background:

  • Unexplained infertility affects a significant portion of couples seeking fertility treatment.
  • In vitro fertilisation (IVF) is a common treatment, but its comparative effectiveness against other options is not well-established.
  • Concerns regarding multiple pregnancies and costs necessitate an evaluation of IVF versus alternatives like expectant management and intrauterine insemination (IUI).

Purpose of the Study:

  • To compare the effectiveness and safety of IVF against expectant management, clomiphene citrate, IUI alone, and IUI with controlled ovarian stimulation (IUI+SO).
  • To determine the live birth rate (LBR) per woman as the primary outcome for these comparisons.

Main Methods:

  • A systematic review of randomised controlled trials (RCTs) was conducted.
  • Searches were performed across multiple databases including Cochrane CENTRAL, MEDLINE, and EMBASE up to July 2011.
  • Eligibility and quality of six included RCTs were independently assessed by two reviewers.

Main Results:

  • IVF demonstrated significantly higher LBR per woman compared to expectant management (45.8% vs 3.7%).
  • No significant difference in LBR was found between IVF and IUI alone (40.7% vs 25.9%).
  • In treatment-naive women, IVF and IUI+SO showed similar LBRs, but IVF was more effective in women pretreated with IUI + clomiphene citrate. No significant differences in multiple pregnancy rates or OHSS were observed.

Conclusions:

  • IVF may offer higher effectiveness than IUI+SO, though evidence is limited.
  • The comparative effectiveness of IVF against expectant management, clomiphene citrate, and IUI alone remains unproven due to insufficient RCT data.
  • Adequate assessment of adverse events and costs associated with these infertility treatments is lacking.