Infertility and Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART): Causes, Treatments, IVF vs GIFT vs ZIFT & MCQs

Infertility is a condition where a couple is unable to have a child after trying for one year. It can happen due to problems in the male or female body. Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) includes a medical technique that helps infertile couples. Infertility care includes maintaining the Human Reproductive System - Male and Female health.

This Story also Contains

1. What is infertility?
2. Causes of Infertility in Males and Females
3. Diagnostic Methods for Infertility
4. What is Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART)?
5. Types Of Assisted Reproductive Technologies
6. Table: IVF vs. ZIFT vs. GIFT
7. Recommended Video On 'Infertility'
8. MCQs on Assisted Reproductive Technologies

Reproductive health is important for preventing infertility and supporting a healthy pregnancy. In males, poor spermatogenesis or blocked ducts can lead to infertility. In females, issues with the ovary or fallopian tube can affect oogenesis. Eating well, staying clean, and regular check-ups are important. ART helps when there are problems with sperm or eggs. It gives hope to couples who are facing infertility.

What is infertility?

Infertility is defined as an inability to conceive after a year of unprotected intercourse (six months for women over 35) or the inability to carry a pregnancy to term. Good reproductive health helps in preventing infertility and supports normal conception.

Causes of Infertility in Males and Females

Infertility can be caused by factors in both men and women, and sometimes in both partners. Disorders of the reproductive system can lead to infertility, like:

Male Factors

• Defective spermatogenesis: Low count, poor motility, abnormal morphology

• Genetic and hormonal imbalances

• Blockages and ejaculatory problems

• Lifestyle factors: Smoking, alcohol, drug use, obesity

Female Factors

• Ovulation disorders: PCOS, hypothalamic dysfunction, premature ovarian insufficiency

• Fallopian tube damage or blockage: Infections, surgery

• Endometriosis: Tissue growth outside the uterus

• Uterine or cervical issues: Polyps, fibroids, structural abnormalities

• Age-related factors

• Lifestyle factors: Smoking, alcohol, obesity, stress

Diagnostic Methods for Infertility

To treat infertility, it is important to first find out the cause. Diagnostic methods help doctors understand whether the problem is in the male or female reproductive system. Various diagnostic tests help confirm the causes of infertility in males and females are given below:

Male Infertility Tests

• Semen analysis

• Structure of sperm examination

• Hormonal testing

• Genetic testing

• Testicular biopsy

Female Infertility Tests

• Ovulation testing

• Hysterosalpingography – HSG

• Structure of ovum examination

• Hormonal testing

• Imaging tests: Ultrasound, laparoscopy

What is Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART)?

Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) is a specific form of medical intervention used against infertility. This set of medical procedures helps people with infertility problems reproduce through more advanced and complex techniques like in vitro fertilisation, intracytoplasmic sperm injection, zygote intrafallopian transfer, gamete intrafallopian transfer, intrauterine insemination, etc.

Types Of Assisted Reproductive Technologies

ART consists of medical procedures that increase the chances of becoming pregnant. It is used when natural conception is not possible due to various infertility issues. Some of types of ART are described below:

In Vitro Fertilization (IVF)

IVF is a common ART method where eggs are fertilized outside the body.

Procedure Of IVF

• Ovarian stimulation and egg retrieval

• Sperm collection and fertilisation in the lab

• Embryo culture and transfer

Success Rates And Factors Affecting Success

• Age, health conditions, quality of sperm/eggs

Advantages and Disadvantages

• Benefits: Higher success rates, used in various infertility issues

• Downsides: Cost, emotional and physical demands, multiple pregnancies

Zygote Intrafallopian Transfer (ZIFT)

ZIFT is a cross between IVF and natural conception in that it places a zygote in the fallopian tube.

Procedure Of ZIFT

• The first steps similar to IVF

• Transfer of zygote into the fallopian tube

Success Rates And Factors Affecting Success

• Generally lower than IVF

Advantages And Disadvantages

• Advantages: Natural implantation process

• Disadvantages: Surgical procedure, lower success rates

Gamete Intrafallopian Transfer (GIFT)

GIFT is placing the eggs and sperm directly into the female reproductive system—fallopian tube.

Procedure Of GIFT

• Collection of eggs and sperm

• Direct insemination into the fallopian tube

Success Rates And Factors Affecting Success

• About the same as the success rates of natural conception

Advantages And Disadvantages

• Pros: More natural conception

• Cons: Needs a patent Fallopian tubes, surgical risks

Table: IVF vs. ZIFT vs. GIFT

IVF, ZIFT, and GIFT are methods used to help couples with infertility. They are part of Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART). The main difference is where fertilisation happens and where the egg or embryo is placed. Other differences are described below:

Recommended Video On 'Infertility'

MCQs on Assisted Reproductive Technologies

Question: Assertion: IUTs ( intrauterine transfer) comes under IVF ( in-vitro fertilisation).

Reason: IUTs is a process in which 16 blastomeres to blastula stage are transferred inside the uterus after fertilisation.

1. If both Assertion & Reason are true and the reason is the correct explanation of the assertion, then mark A

2. If both Assertion & Reason are true but the reason is not the correct explanation of the assertion, then mark B

3. If Assertion is true statement but Reason is false, then mark C

4. If both Assertion and Reason are false statements, then mark D

Answer: In intrauterine transfer, the embryos with more than 8 blastomeres, into the uterus, to complete their further development. Embryos formed by in-vivo fertilisation ( fusion of gametes within the female) also could be used for such transfer to assist those females who cannot conceive.

Hence, the correct answer is option (1) both Assertion & Reason are true and the reason is the correct explanation of the assertion.

Question: What is the risk associated with multiple embryos being transferred during IVF treatment?

1. Increased chance of a successful pregnancy

2. Increased chance of multiple pregnancies

3. Decreased chance of a successful pregnancy

4. Increased risk of birth defects

Answer: The risk associated with transferring multiple embryos during IVF treatment is an increased chance of multiple pregnancies, which can be risky for both the mother and the fetuses. This is why many fertility clinics now aim to transfer a single embryo in each IVF cycle, to achieve a healthy pregnancy with a single foetus.

Hence, the correct answer is Option (2) Increased chance of multiple pregnancies.

Question: Statement 1: In IVF, eggs are fertilized with sperm outside of the body, in a laboratory dish.

Statement 2: Embryo transfer is the process of transferring fertilized embryos into a woman's uterus.

1. Both statements 1 and 2 are correct.

2. Statement 1 is correct but statement 2 is incorrect.

3. Statement 1 is incorrect but statement 2 is correct.

4. Both statements 1 and 2 are incorrect.

Answer: Statement 1 is correct. In IVF, eggs are fertilized with sperm outside of the body, in a laboratory dish. The fertilized eggs (embryos) are then cultured for several days until they reach a certain stage of development before they are transferred into a woman's uterus. This allows for the fertilization process to occur outside of the body, which can help couples who may have difficulty conceiving due to fertility issues.

Statement 2 is also correct. Embryo transfer is the process of transferring fertilized embryos into a woman's uterus. This is the final step in the IVF process, and it involves using a catheter to place the embryos directly into the uterus. The number of embryos transferred depends on several factors, such as the woman's age, the quality of the embryos, and the couple's preference. It is usually done 2-6 days after fertilization. This step is important as it helps the fertilized eggs to implant in the uterus and start developing into a fetus.

Hence, the correct option is 1) Both statements 1 and 2 are correct.

Also Read:

• MCQs on Assisted Reproductive Technology

• Sexually Transmitted Diseases STDs
• Amniocentesis