In
vitro Fertilization Program
Arif Agha, MD
Dr.
N Rana, a colleague at our center, provides all assisted reproductive techniques (ARTs),
including in vitro fertilization/embryo transfer (IVF/ET), gamete intrafallopian
transfer (GIFT), zygote intrafallopian transfer (ZIFT), and tubal embryo
transfer (TET), with and without micromanipulation. The micromanipulation
techniques include intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) and assisted
zona hatching (AZH). The IVF laboratory is directly attached by pass-through
windows to the ultrasound guided oocyte retrieval room and the operating
room where procedures such as GIFT, ZIFT, and TET are performed.
Pass-through
retrieval eliminates the unnecessary and potentially harmful effect
of transport on the gametes and embryos. The overall results of our
IVF program in terms of the take home baby rate have consistently been
above the national average. OBFC staff has been actively involved in
clinical and basic researches, and participates in several multi-center
clinical trials. The results of these studies have lead to the development
of new techniques and high success rates. During the past two years,
we have introduced new IVF stimulation protocols, embryo co-culture
and blastocyst transfer procedures which have further improved our success
rates and allowed a decrease in the number of embryos transferred, reducing
the risk of multiple gestation.
Recently
we have demonstrated an adverse effect of autoantibodies on the IVF
outcome in women with endometriosis and were able to improve the results
with specific treatment (Fertility and Sterility, March 1995).
Our
donor egg IVF program was the first established in the Midwest and had
the first pregnancy. We have recently reported that high pregnancy rates
can be achieved in donor egg recipients with poor endometrial growth
when novel form of estrogen replacement is used (Journal of Assisted
Reproduction and Genetics, March 1997).
