Services
Intra-Uterine Insemination (IUI)
Definition:
Intra-uterine Insemination (IUI) is the placement of sperm directly into the uterus of the woman, bypassing the cervix.
Indications:
This procedure is performed for patients with a cervical factor (cervicitis, cervical stenosis, inadequate mucus or hostile mucus), unexplained infertility, male factor infertility or immunological infertility.
Procedure:
The female's ovaries are stimulated hormonally to produce follicles containing the eggs. An ultrasound scan is performed to determine the number and size of the follicles and also the thickness of the endometrium, lining the uterus, to see whether it is ready for implantation. Also, blood hormone levels will be measured. Ovulation will be induced by an injection of human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG), and the egg will be released 36-48hr later. The male partner's semen is processed to select the highest quality sperm. The physician will then inject this sperm via a catheter through the vagina and cervix, into the uterus.
Therapeutic Insemination with Donor Sperm (TID)
Definition:
TID is the placement of donor sperm directly into the uterus of the patient.
Indications:
In cases of severe male factor infertility, i.e., very low sperm count and/or motility, or no sperm at all, TID may be indicated. TID may also be used if the male partner carries a genetic disorder.
Procedure:
The procedure is the same as for IUI, but with the use of donor sperm. Donor sperm are frozen and stored for 6 months, to enable adequate screening and help prevent communicable diseases from being transmitted. Frozen donor sperm will be thawed and processed to isolate the highest quality sperm and then placed directly into the uterus via a catheter.
In-Vitro Fertilization (IVF)
Definition:
In-vitro fertilization (IVF) is the process whereby the female partner's ovaries are stimulated to produce eggs. These are then removed and placed together with her partner's sperm in a petri dish and allowed to fertilize. The resulting embryos are then transferred into her uterus after 2-3 days.
Indications:
IVF is used in cases of tubal blockage, male factor infertility or previously failed IUI cycles.
Procedure:
The ovaries will be stimulated to produce eggs. Firstly, a gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) analogue is given for about 8-10 days. Secondly, daily injections of human menopausal gonadotrophin (hMG) are given to stimulate the ovaries to produce an increased number of follicles containing the eggs. After about 8 days, the number and size of the follicles will be measured using ultrasound. When 1-2 of the follicles reach 18mm in diameter, an injection of human chorionic gonadotrophin is given, and the oocyte retrieval scheduled for 36hrs later.
The oocytes will be retrieved via transvaginal ultrasound. Ultrasound allows the physician to visualize the follicles and can then push a needle into each of them and aspirate the fluid inside the follicle containing the oocyte. The follicular fluid is examined by laboratory personnel for the presence of the egg and if found, is placed in an incubator. This is done for all the follicles. At the time of oocyte retrieval or immediately thereafter, the male partner's perm will be processed to isolate the highest quality sperm. Approximately 5hrs after the oocyte retrieval, the oocytes and sperm are put together in a petri dish and placed in an incubator.
The next day, the oocytes are observed to see whether normal fertilization has occurred. The fertilized oocytes are then left in the incubator to develop into embryos. After 2-3days after oocyte retrieval, the embryos are transferred into the uterus of the woman using a special catheter. Hormonal treatments are given for the following 3 weeks, after which a pregnancy test is scheduled. Any excess embryos not transferred may be cryopreserved for later use (seeEmbryo Cryopreservation and Thawing)
Success Rates:
The normal success rate with this procedure is about 25-30% depending on the age of the patient.
Gamete IntraFallopian Transfer (GIFT)
Definition:
GIFT is the direct placement of eggs and sperm into the fallopian tube.
Indications:
GIFT is usually performed in cases of unexplained infertility.
Procedure:
The oocytes/eggs are removed from the woman's ovaries and the sperm is processed
in the same manner as for IVF. The difference is that instead of allowing
the oocytes to be fertilized in a petri dish, the sperm and up to 3 eggs
are injected directly into the fallopian tube and allowed to fertilize there.
Hormones are given for the next 2 weeks to help maintain a pregnancy. Any
extra eggs may be fertilized in vitro (IVF), cryopreserved, or donated.
Success rates:
The success rate with GIFT is approximately 30% depending on the age of the
patient.
Intra-Cytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI)
Definition:
The process whereby a single sperm is injected directly into the cytoplasm of
the egg.
Indications:
ICSI is the method of choice for patients with severe male factor infertility,
and for patients who have had previously failed or poor fertilization resulting
from conventional IVF.
Procedure:
The eggs are retrieved from the woman's ovaries in the same way as for IVF. The
eggs are then stripped of all surrounding cells and placed in a droplet and
the male partner's sperm placed in another droplet. The sperm can be obtained
via ejaculation or in severe cases, directly from the testis or epididymis
using microsurgical sperm retrieval techniques.
The oocyte is held in place by a specialized holding micropipette. With
a microinjection pipette, one sperm is picked up (aspirated) and then carefully
injected into the cytoplasm of the oocyte. This is done for all the eggs.
The eggs are then placed in the incubator, and checked the next morning for
fertilization.
The fertilized eggs are then allowed to develop for another 24-48hr, after which they are transferred into the uterus via a thin catheter. Hormonal treatment to help maintain a pregnancy is given for the next 2 weeks.
Success rates:
The success rate for ICSI is usually around 30-35%.
Microsurgical Epididymal Sperm Aspiration (MESA)
Testicular Sperm Extraction (TESE)
Round Spermatid Injection (ROSI)
Definitions:
MESA is the retrieval of sperm from the epididymis by means of aspiration. TESE
is the retrieval of sperm from the testis by means of testicular biopsy. ROSI
is the injection of round spermatid (immature spermatozoa) when no mature sperm
can be found in the testis.
Indications:
When sperm are unable to move through the genital tract due to uncorrectable
damage, sperm can be extracted directly from the epididymis or testes via
microsurgical techniques. Congenital absence of the vas deferens
(CAVD) or failed sterilization reversal are other indications.
Procedure:
Around the time that the woman has her eggs retrieved, the husband/male partner
will undergo a surgical procedure that will either take a very small piece
of testicular tissue (TESE) or aspirate the fluid from the epididymis (MESA). For
TESE/MESA the testicular tissue/epididymal fluid will be examined
for the presence of sperm cells. These can then be injected into the oocyte
via ICSI. In cases where no sperm are seen, round spermatids (immature
sperm seen on right) can be used for ICSI (ROSI).
We at the Middle East Fertility Center for Reproductive Medicine and Genetics, along with the Kentucky Center for Reproductive Medicine & IVF (www.kcrm-ivf.com) in cooperation with the Andrology Institute of America (www.aia-zavos.com) and Dr. Zavos (www.zavos.org), along with other Scientists and Physicians from Japan, Greece and France, have been successful in developing and employing the new ROSI Technique. This method enables the micro-injection of round spermatids (immature spermatozoa), recovered from the testes or from post-ejaculated fractions into retrieved oocytes via ICSI techniques and achievement of fertilization and pregnancies. This technique will assist a great number of azoospermic males with round "spermatid-type" arrest in their testes and other male infertility patients with other severe spermatogenic deficiencies to achieve pregnancies, throughout the World.
Sperm Cryopreservation and Thawing
Definition:
The process of preserving sperm by means of freezing for use at a later time.
Indications:
Sperm can be cryopreserved in cases where the male might have difficulty in
producing a specimen at a given time. If sperm were retrieved microsurgically,
excess sperm may be stored to avoid having to repeat the invasive surgical
procedure. Also, for patients planning to undergo chemotherapy or radiotherapy
(for cancer), sperm may be cryopreserved as the therapy may diminish their
sperm production. Sperm can also be frozen for persons wishing to donate
their sperm to infertile couples.
Procedure:
Sperm retrieved by masturbation, testicular biopsy or microsurgical epididymal
sperm aspiration are placed together with a cryoprotectant and stored in
cryostraws in liquid nitrogen at a temperature of -196°C. This can be
thawed at any time, and the cryoprotectant can be removed and the sperm used
for ART procedures.
Embryo Cryopreservation and Thawing
Definition:
The process of storing embryos by means of freezing in liquid nitrogen for use
at a later time.
Indications:
When excess embryos are present after an embryo transfer, these can be frozen
and then transferred in subsequent cycles, if the patient does not
become pregnant. This would save her from undergoing another oocyte
retrieval procedure. She may also elect to have her embryos donated to another
infertile couple.
Procedure:
Excess embryos are place with a cryoprotectant and aspirated into cryostraws,
and then gradually frozen to a temperature of -196°C, and placed in liquid
nitrogen. Storage can be indefinite but KCRM requires written approval/consent
from the parents every 3 years.
When the patient wants to transfer embryos that are in cryostorage, these can be thawed prior to or on the day of transfer, assessed for survival and development, and then transferred.
Sperm Donation
Definition:
The donation of sperm for the use by infertile couples with severe male factor
infertility.
Indications for using donor sperm:
Donor sperm may be used when the male partner has azoospermia or severe male
factor, has a know hereditary/genetic disorder that could be carried over
to biologic offspring, or has had previously failed IVF attempts and do not
choose to have ICSI. Donor sperm may also be used in females without male
partners.
Oocyte Donation
Definition:
The donation of oocytes for the use by infertile couples.
Indications for using donated oocytes:
Women may choose to have donated oocytes if they have hypergonadotrophic hypogonadism,
have diminished ovarian response, have persistently poor oocyte and/or embryo
quality in previous ART's, or have known hereditary/genetic defect that can
be carried over to the offspring.
Assisted Hatching
Definition:
Assisted hatching is the opening of the zona pellucida , surrounding the embryo,
to help the embryo/blastocyst "hatch" or emerge from the zona and
implant in the uterus.
Indications:
Assisted hatching is usually indicated in older women, and those with failed
implantation in previous cycles.
Procedure:
Prior to embryo transfer, a small opening is made in the zona pellucida using
microdissection tools. The embryos are then transferred normally.
Gender Selection
Definition:
The process of gender selection increases the chance of having a female or male
child, by separating sperm that bear the X chromosome (female) and those that
have the Y chromosome (male), and inseminating with whichever sample is desired.
Indications:
The procedure can be employed for couples who want a child of a specific gender.
Procedure:
The procedure used is the sedimentation method. This method is used similarly
for both male and female selection and takes approximately 2-2½ hours
to process. On average, it takes about 3-4 cycles to achieve a pregnancy
with this method.
Success rates:
Our success rate is approximately 80% for male selection and 72% for female
selection.
For further information see our sites at
Traditional Surrogacy
Definition:
A traditional surrogate is one who donates her oocytes and carries the pregnancy
using sperm from the intended natural father (husband) or a donor.
Procedure:
The surrogate's ovaries are stimulated hormonally to produce follicles containing
the eggs. An ultrasound scan is performed to determine the number and
size of the follicles and also the thickness of the endometrium, lining the
uterus, to see whether it is ready for implantation. Also, blood hormone
levels will be measured. Ovulation will be induced by an injection
of human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG), and the egg will be released 36-48hr
later. The semen from the intended natural father is processed to select
the highest quality sperm. The physician will then inject this sperm via
a catheter through the vagina and cervix, into the uterus. If conception
occur, the surrogate will carry the pregnancy to term.
We refer these services to the Kentucky Center for Reproductive Medicine & IVF (www.kcrm-ivf.com).
Gestational Surrogacy
Definition:
The gestational surrogate is one who only carries the pregnancy to term, and
the eggs are derived from another source.
Procedure:
This procedure is very similar to IVF, except that instead of transferring
the embryos into the female patient, they are transferred into the uterus
of the designated surrogate.
We refer these services to the Kentucky Center for Reproductive Medicine & IVF (www.kcrm-ivf.com).