"Not everything in medical science has a clear beginning. The first realization of infertility and putative remedies remain shrouded in contextual history, but likely goes back to the dawn of our species, well before there was a written record. Childlessness was, and is still, considered a burden in some communities"--
Our knowledge of reproductive medicine has expanded rapidly since the birth of Louise Brown, the first baby to be conceived by in vitro fertilization, which was performed by Professors Patrick Steptoe and Bob Edwards in Oldham, Eng land, in 1978. Hardly a year goes by without the development of a new or a modification of an existing method of assisted reproduction. Within a relatively short period, in vitro fertilization has been introduced into the treatment of female infertility. Intracytoplasmic sperm injection has also created new opportunities for the treatment of male infertility. The first edition of this book was published in 1996. In the second edition most of the chapters have been updated and additional interest is focused on intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) in view of the risk of malformations in newborns. This manual addresses the techniques of assisted reproduction that are avail able today. Competent authors from various centers present, in a concise way, their tried-and-tested procedures, so that the latter can be readily implemented. Due to different legal regulations, the scope of assisted reproduction is much more limited in Germany than in many other countries. For example, whereas only three embryos may be created and transferred in Germany, such restric tions do not exist in several other European countries and the United States. Furthermore, heterologous fertilization, oocyte donation, and surrogate mother hood are banned in Germany.
The success of Assisted Reproductive Technology is critically dependent upon the use of well optimized protocols, based upon sound scientific reasoning, empirical observations and evidence of clinical efficacy. Recently, the treatment of infertility has experienced a revolution, with the routine adoption of increasingly specialized molecular biological techniques and advanced methods for the manipulation of gametes and embryos. This textbook – inspired by the postgraduate degree program at the University of Oxford – guides students through the multidisciplinary syllabus essential to ART laboratory practice, from basic culture techniques and micromanipulation to laboratory management and quality assurance, and from endocrinology to molecular biology and research methods. Written for all levels of IVF practitioners, reproductive biologists and technologists involved in human reproductive science, it can be used as a reference manual for all IVF labs and as a textbook by undergraduates, advanced students, scientists and professionals involved in gamete, embryo or stem cell biology.
Whilst assisted reproduction techniques (ART) have become increasingly successful and largely standardized, there is still only a partial understanding of what constitutes a 'true' embryo environment. Replicating the varying physiological conditions of the in-vivo environment that the embryo travels through in the in-vitro culture is still a major challenge in ART. This practical volume details how to organize and operate an IVF laboratory in order to mimic these conditions for successful embryo culture. Environments and equipment that are essential for running safe and efficient facilities such as maintaining good air quality and hygiene protocols, and utilizing an effective layout are covered in detail. Other chapters discuss the different consumables needed, optimal handling techniques and parameter monitoring systems, as well as recent advances in the area including artificial intelligence and automation. This is an indispensable guide to understanding the background science of culturing embryos, crucial to successful outcomes in ART.
This guide to micromanipulation techniques, for assisted conception in a clinical setting, includes detailed descriptions of all common micromanipulation systems currently in use in IVF laboratories. In explaining how to optimize their successful use, the volume covers state-of-the-art techniques including ICSI, and procedures such as assisted hatching and the blastomere biopsy (for PGD). Valuable information on troubleshooting mechanical and technical difficulties is provided to help professionals ranging from technicians to consultant obstetricians master the techniques.
This book provides comprehensive information on Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI), its clinical considerations, outcomes and potential health effects. Male and female infertility is increasing all over the world. The basic techniques of assisted reproduction like ovulation control and intrauterine insemination are ineffective if the sperm quality or number is inadequate. The advanced fertilization techniques are in-vitro fertilization (IVF) and ICSI. In 15% cases of infertility, IVF results in total failed fertilization; therefore, ICSI must be used. Some clinics exclusively use ICSI for all infertility patients due to its reliability of fertilization outcome or to avoid total fertilization failure. ICSI was first used in humans in 1992. Since then, tremendous advances have been made in assisted reproductive technology. ICSI has enabled even those men who have rare sperm in their testes to father a biological child. If no sperm are observed in the ejaculate, in almost all cases, they can be recovered from the testicles. Such retrieved sperm can only be used by ICSI. Therefore, its understanding is essential not only for medical staff but also for patients suffering from infertility. This book is highly recommended for patients suffering from infertility or currently undergoing infertility treatment. It explains the factors affecting ICSI success rate. In ICSI, the embryologist picks a sperm for injection to fertilize oocytes whereas in intrauterine insemination and IVF, one sperm penetrates naturally. This manual selection of sperm has raised concerns especially in those patients suffering from severe male factor infertility. The nature of sperm defects varies and could be congenital, acquired or genetic. Children born through ICSI are, therefore, considered at higher risk of carrying the defect. Many investigations have been carried out to compare incidence of the defects between children conceived naturally and conceived through ICSI. Additional technologies have been developed to ensure the birth of a normal child. These include pre-implantation genetic testing and non-invasive prenatal testing. This book addresses these concerns and explains the health effects on children born through ICSI. This book is very useful for medical students, andrologists, embryologists, nurses or anyone else interested in learning basic or advanced knowledge of assisted reproductive technology, especially ICSI. The authors of the chapters of this book are highly experienced and from different parts of the world. Many of them are directing very busy ART laboratories at leading infertility clinics in the United States of America, Canada and the Middle East.
Now in its revised and expanded second edition - including over 20 new chapters - this comprehensive textbook remains a unique and accessible description of the current and developing diagnostic and treatment techniques and technologies comprising in vitro fertilization (IVF). Arranged thematically in sections, each chapter covers a key topic in IVF in a sensible presentation. Parts one and two describe the planning, design and organization of an ART unit and IVF laboratory and equipment and systems, respectively. The sections that follow provide detailed descriptions of IVF techniques, embryo culture methods, sperm processing and selection, insemination procedures, micromanipulation, embryo evaluation, cryopreservation, and embryo transfer. Concluding sections address issues of management and regulation of ART labs across the globe, as well as special topics and emerging techniques and devices. Chapter authors, all experts in the field, contribute their expertise from around the world. With the addition of learning key points and review questions at the beginning and end of each chapter, this new edition of In Vitro Fertilization is a readily accessible, high quality instructional resource for reproductive medicine trainees at all levels. Practicing reproductive endocrinologists, urologists, and embryologists also will find value in the book, as will infertility researchers.
