Assisted reproduction techniques and probability of success
Thanks to advances in the field of fertility, today we have different techniques, in addition to diagnostic studies, that improve success rates. In this article, the Dr. Elena Meliá, infertility specialist at the Women's Unit of the Ruber International Hospital, explains what the different assisted reproduction techniques consist of, in which cases they are practiced, and what their probability of success is.
Intrauterine insemination
Within assisted reproduction techniques, there are different steps. The first would be intrauterine inseminationIn this procedure, the woman is made to ovulate, and laboratory-prepared semen is then introduced into the uterus. This option is indicated for women under 39 years of age or men with sufficient semen quality. Of course, the tubes must be patent.
In vitro fertilization
The next step would be the in vitro fertilizationWhat is done is superovulation, in which all the mature eggs are extracted and fertilized with the partner's semen in the laboratory. This can be done with conventional IVF, leaving the egg with the sperm for spontaneous fertilization, or with intracytoplasmic sperm injection, in which the sperm is injected directly into the egg.
After fertilization, these embryos remain in an incubator, developing until day five, six, or rarely, seven, which is the blastocyst stage. Thus, embryo transfer in women can be performed fresh, or the embryos can be vitrified, or frozen, for later transfer.
When to vitrify embryos?
The indications for proceeding with vitrification, which It is being done more and more frequently, are due to a medical problem that requires the transfer to be postponed; either because the hormonal environment isn't adequate for the embryo to implant properly, or because some study technique is going to be performed on those embryos.
Types of studies
Some of the studies that can be performed on embryos are:
Preimplantation genetic diagnosis
Is extract or biopsy 4 or 5 cells from the embryo to perform a genetic chromosomal study before transferring it.
Non-invasive embryonic chromosome analysis technique
El Ruber International Hospital has been a pioneer in this technique, the Embrace techniqueWhat is done is, without biopsying the embryo, analyze the DNA released by the embryo into the environment, and with this, the embryos for transfer can be prioritized based on their probability of being chromosomally normal.
Oocyte donation cycles
The next step would be the oocyte donation cycles, in which a woman who has no eggs, or whose eggs are of very poor quality, or who has a genetic problem, or in the case of a couple who has had multiple IVF failures, uses a donor. By law, this donor must be a healthy woman between 18 and 35 years old, who provides the service altruistically and anonymously. Thus, the donor would undergo the in vitro fertilization cycle, and her eggs would be fertilized with her partner's semen, in order to transfer the embryos to the recipient.
Success rates of assisted reproduction techniques
Within all these techniques, the results In in vitro fertilization, the rate is approximately 50%. In cryotransfer cycles, we're having very good results, above 50% (58% according to the latest statistics); in preimplantation genetic diagnosis cycles, it's 60% (70% according to the latest statistics); and in egg donation cycles, in general, the results are above 60%.
Related articles
- Assisted reproduction techniques at the service of a dream
- What is ovarian stimulation and the most common questions?
- Artificial insemination with partner's semen
- Artificial insemination with donor semen
If you found this article interesting and would like to be seen by a professional expert in Gynecology and Obstetrics, the Women's Unit at Ruber International Hospital has a specialized unit in this area. You can request more information by calling the following numbers: 91 387 51 72/73/74 or make an appointment for an in-person consultation, always with the best specialists.