Question

In vitro fertilization (IVF) is a popular method these days that is helping childless couples to bear a child.
Write the different steps that are carried out in this technique.
Would you consider gamete intra fallopian transfer as a type of IVF? Justify your answer.

Hint:

To distinguish between these terms quickly, look at where fertilization occurs: IVF: Fertilization happens in a laboratory dish (in vitro*).
GIFT In Vivo: Fertilization happens inside the living body (in vivo*).
This difference helps prevent confusing these reproductive technologies.

Answer 1

Step 1: Understanding the Question:
The question asks for an explanation of the sequential medical steps performed during In Vitro Fertilization (IVF). It also asks whether Gamete Intra Fallopian Transfer (GIFT) should be classified as an IVF technique, requiring a biological justification.

Step 2: Key Formula or Approach:
IVF (In Vitro Fertilization): Fertilization occurs outside the female body in a laboratory setting that mimics natural conditions, followed by embryo transfer (ET).
GIFT (Gamete Intra Fallopian Transfer): Unfertilized gametes are placed directly into the fallopian tube, meaning fertilization occurs inside the female body (in vivo).

Step 3: Detailed Explanation:
(a) Steps in the IVF Technique:
1. Ovarian Hyperstimulation: The female partner receives hormone injections (like FSH) to stimulate her ovaries to develop multiple mature follicles instead of the usual single egg per month.
2. Egg Retrieval: Once mature, the eggs are harvested from the ovarian follicles using a minor surgical procedure guided by ultrasound.
3. Sperm Collection: The male partner provides a semen sample, which is processed in the laboratory to isolate high-motility sperm.
4. Co-incubation In Vitro Fertilization: The harvested eggs and prepared sperm are mixed together in a specialized petri dish containing nutrient media within a laboratory incubator. This allows fertilization to occur outside the mother's body. In cases of severe male infertility, a single sperm may be injected directly into an egg via Intra Cytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI).
5. Embryo Culture and Transfer (ET): The fertilized eggs divide to form early embryos. At the 8-cell stage, the embryo can be transferred into the fallopian tube via ZIFT (Zygote Intra Fallopian Transfer). Alternatively, it is cultured to the blastocyst stage and transferred directly into the mother's uterus for implantation.
(b) Evaluation of GIFT: No, Gamete Intra Fallopian Transfer (GIFT) is not a type of IVF .
Justification: By definition, IVF requires fertilization to occur in vitro (outside the body in a laboratory environment). In contrast, during a GIFT procedure, unfertilized harvested eggs and washed sperm are mixed and immediately injected into the patient's fallopian tubes. This means actual fertilization occurs naturally inside the female body (in vivo), rather than in a laboratory dish. Therefore, GIFT is classified as an Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART), but it does not qualify as an IVF method.

Step 4: Final Answer:
(a) The primary steps of IVF are ovarian stimulation, egg retrieval, sperm preparation, laboratory fertilization (in vitro), and transferring the resulting embryo back into the female reproductive tract .
(b) No, GIFT is not a form of IVF because fertilization takes place in vivo (inside the mother's fallopian tubes) rather than in an external laboratory setting .