What is in vitro fertilization?

Many friends still don’t know much about the term in vitro fertilization. In fact, in vitro fertilization is what we often call test-tube babies. The process of collecting the man's semen and the woman's eggs, cultivating and developing them in vitro, and then transplanting them into the woman's uterus until delivery is called in vitro fertilization, which is also a testimony to the progress of medical technology.

In vitro fertilization-embryo transfer (IVF-ET): also known as test tube baby, sometimes called first generation test tube baby. It refers to collecting the male's semen and the female's high-quality eggs separately, culturing them in vitro, combining them (in vitro fertilization) and developing them into embryos. Then, the embryos are transplanted back into the female's uterine cavity through a special transplant tube, allowing the embryos to continue to grow and develop until delivery.

Indications for in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer (IVF)

1. The woman’s fallopian tube is severely blocked.

2. Severe ovulation disorders in women.

3. Severe endometriosis in women.

4. Men have severe oligospermia and asthenospermia.

5. Unexplained infertility.

6. Immune infertility.

In vitro fertilization-embryo transfer (IVF) preoperative examination

Female tests: routine leucorrhea test, mycoplasma, chlamydia, sex hormone series, TCT (cervical cell test), blood type, three items before blood transfusion, five items of hepatitis B, liver and kidney function, routine coagulation test, routine blood test, routine urine test, Toxoplasma (TORCH), electrocardiogram, chest X-ray, etc.

Male tests: two routine semen tests, blood type, three items before blood transfusion, five items of hepatitis B, semen microbiological examination, sperm function test, etc.

In vitro fertilization-embryo transfer (IVF-ET) process:

1. Drug-induced multi-follicular development

In vitro fertilization-embryo transfer, hormonal drugs are first used to induce ovulation. Generally, hormones are started 7 days after ovulation, or on the 1st or 2nd day of the menstrual cycle. After one week of medication, vaginal ultrasound is repeated. If follicles are found to be activated, appropriate treatment should be taken. After two weeks of medication, or on the 3rd to 5th day of the menstrual cycle, vaginal ultrasound is repeated. If the ovarian status is appropriate, hormone injections can be started to stimulate the development of multiple follicles. During the ovulation induction process, vaginal ultrasound and blood sex hormone measurements are used to monitor follicular development. When the follicles are mature, human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) is injected. About 36 hours after the HCG injection, eggs are retrieved through vaginal ultrasound.

2. Transvaginal ultrasound egg retrieval

The process of inserting the puncture needle through the vaginal fornix into the follicle and aspirating the follicular fluid under the guidance of vaginal ultrasound is called transvaginal ultrasound egg retrieval. The follicular fluid contains the desired egg. Vaginal ultrasound egg retrieval: It is a simple procedure. If local anesthesia is used, there is generally no pain, or only a slight soreness and swelling. Generally, after egg retrieval, you can get out of bed and leave the hospital. The eggs are removed, cleaned, and placed in an incubator, waiting for fertilization.

3. In vitro fertilization and embryo culture

Generally, about 4-6 hours after egg retrieval, the processed sperm and eggs will be cultured together. The sperm will rely on its own movement to enter the egg cell, and the genetic material of the two sexes will combine to form a fertilized egg. Generally, the fertilized egg can be seen formed 12-18 hours after fertilization. Further cultivation of the fertilized egg will form a two-cell, four-cell, or eight-cell embryo.

4. Embryo transfer

The process of placing the embryo formed by in vitro culture into a thin tube and sending it into the uterine cavity through the cervical canal is called embryo transfer. Generally, the transplant is performed 2-3 days after egg retrieval, and in a few cases 5-6 days after egg retrieval. The transplant process is similar to a gynecological examination, there is no pain and no need to worry.

5. Luteal support

After egg retrieval, progesterone or human chorionic gonadotropin is used to support the corpus luteum. A pregnancy test is performed 14 days after embryo transfer. If pregnancy occurs, luteal support is continued until three months of pregnancy.

Advantages of Assisted Reproductive Technology in Malaysia:

Malaysia is ranked first among the world's four largest healthcare countries, and its medical field is sought after worldwide, among which in vitro fertilization assisted reproductive technology is particularly prominent. It is reported that in order to better plan and promote the development of Malaysia's medical tourism industry, the Malaysia Healthcare Tourism Council (MHTC) was established to coordinate Malaysia's medical tourism market. China is an important target market for Malaysia's in vitro fertilization and medical tourism.

Malaysia's third-generation IVF equipment is advanced and fully equipped with leading IVF technologies and equipment. Malaysia's test-tube baby is equipped with the most advanced technology in test-tube baby - embryo observer, which records embryo development and growth 24 hours a day, so as to select the best quality and most dynamic embryo for transplantation; sperm separation to increase the chance of having a boy/girl; sperm washing to help carriers of viruses such as AIDS, hepatitis B, hepatitis C, syphilis, etc. give birth to healthy offspring; for elderly women with few eggs, it provides a single-month double ovulation stimulation technology of ovulation stimulation and egg retrieval twice a month, etc. Malaysia's test-tube baby derivative technologies are complete and can meet patients' more personalized fertility needs.