Subham Meher Bio Project

1.
Introduction
Assisted Reproductive Techniques (ART)
encompass a variety of medical procedures and
technologies designed to help individuals or
couples achieve pregnancy when they are unable
to do so through natural conception. ART is
typically used in cases of infertility, which may be
due to male or female reproductive health issues,
or other conditions such as advanced age, same-
sex partnerships, or single individuals wishing to
have biological children. ART plays a crucial role in
addressing infertility and has helped millions of
people around the world build families. This
project aims to provide an in-depth understanding
of ART, its various techniques, challenges, and
future prospects.
2. Overview of Assisted Reproductive Techniques

ART includes several methods that involve the
manipulation of eggs, sperm, or embryos outside
the human body to facilitate conception. The
primary goal of ART is to treat infertility by
overcoming specific barriers to pregnancy, such as
poor egg quality, sperm issues, blocked fallopian
tubes, or hormonal imbalances.
3. Types of Assisted Reproductive Techniques
1.In Vitro Fertilization (IVF)
o Definition: IVF is one of the most widely
known ART procedures. It involves

extracting eggs from a woman's ovaries
and fertilizing them with sperm in a
laboratory setting. The resulting embryos
are then implanted in the uterus.
o Process:
 Ovarian Stimulation: The woman
undergoes hormone treatment to

stimulate the ovaries to produce
multiple eggs.
 Egg Retrieval: Eggs are collected
through a minor surgical procedure

using a needle.
 Fertilization: Eggs are fertilized with
sperm in the lab.

 Embryo Culture: The embryos are
monitored as they grow.

 Embryo Transfer: One or more
healthy embryos are transferred to
the woman's uterus.
o Success Factors: The quality of eggs,
sperm, the number of embryos, and the

age of the woman are critical factors
influencing success.
2.Intrauterine Insemination (IUI)
o Definition: IUI is a procedure where
sperm is directly inserted into the uterus

around the time of ovulation, increasing
the chances of sperm meeting the egg.
o Process:
 Sperm Preparation: Sperm is
collected and washed to remove

impurities and increase sperm count.
 Ovulation Monitoring: Hormonal
treatments may be used to induce

ovulation.
 Sperm Insertion: Sperm is inserted
into the uterus using a catheter.

o Success Factors: The quality of sperm, the
timing of ovulation, and the woman’s

overall reproductive health affect the
success rate.
3.Egg and Sperm Donation
o Definition: Egg and sperm donation are
used when one or both partners have

issues with their gametes (eggs or sperm).
Donors can either be anonymous or
known to the recipient.
o Process:
 Egg Donation: A donor’s eggs are
fertilized using sperm from the

intended father or a sperm donor.
The embryos are then implanted in
the recipient's uterus.
 Sperm Donation: A sperm donor
provides sperm, which is then used in

IUI or IVF.
o Success Factors: The quality of donated
eggs or sperm, along with the recipient's

uterine environment, affects outcomes.
4.Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI)

o Definition: ICSI is a form of IVF in which a
single sperm is injected directly into an

egg, rather than relying on natural
fertilization. It is often used when male
infertility is an issue.
oProcess:
 Egg Retrieval & Sperm Collection:
Eggs are collected from the woman,

and sperm is collected from the man.
 Sperm Injection: A single sperm is
selected and injected directly into an

egg.
 Embryo Transfer: Embryos are
monitored and the healthiest

embryo(s) are transferred into the
woman’s uterus.
o Success Factors: Male infertility issues,
such as low sperm count or poor motility,

are factors that benefit from ICSI.
5.Gestational Surrogacy
o Definition: In gestational surrogacy,
another woman (the surrogate) carries

and delivers a baby for the intended
parents. The surrogate does not provide
the egg; it is fertilized using the intended
mother's egg or a donor egg and the
intended father's sperm or a donor’s
sperm.
o Process:
 Egg Retrieval & Sperm Collection:
Eggs and sperm are retrieved from

the intended parents or donors.
 Embryo Creation & Transfer: The
fertilized embryos are transferred into

the surrogate’s uterus.
o Success Factors: The surrogate’s health,
the quality of the eggs and sperm, and
embryo development are crucial.
3. Causes of Infertility and Indications for ART

ART is often used when natural conception is not
possible due to infertility factors affecting either
partner. Common causes of infertility include:
1.Female Infertility Factors:
o Ovarian issues: Conditions like polycystic
ovary syndrome (PCOS) or premature

ovarian failure.
oTubal Blockage: Blocked or damaged
fallopian tubes prevent eggs from
reaching the sperm.
o Endometriosis: A condition where tissue
similar to the uterine lining grows outside

the uterus, causing fertility problems.
o Age-related Factors: A decline in the
quality and quantity of a woman’s eggs as

she ages, particularly after 35.
o Hormonal Imbalances: Conditions
affecting ovulation, such as thyroid

dysfunction or prolactin abnormalities.
2.Male Infertility Factors:
o Low Sperm Count (Oligospermia): A low
number of sperm in the semen.

o Poor Sperm Motility (Asthenospermia):
Sperm have difficulty swimming,

impairing the ability to reach and fertilize
the egg.
o Sperm Morphology Issues: Abnormal
sperm shape or structure.

o Azoospermia: Complete absence of
sperm in the semen.

o Varicocele: Enlarged veins in the scrotum
affecting sperm production.

3.Other Factors:
o Unexplained Infertility: In some cases,
the cause of infertility cannot be

identified despite testing.
o Same-Sex Couples and Single Women:
ART provides reproductive solutions for

those wishing to have children, such as
sperm or egg donation and surrogacy.
4. Ethical, Legal, and Psychological
Considerations
ART raises significant ethical, legal, and
psychological concerns, many of which continue
to evolve with advancements in reproductive
technology.
4.1. Ethical Issues
 Embryo Selection and Disposal: Decisions

about which embryos are implanted and what
happens to unused embryos (discarding,
freezing, or donating) are ethically complex.
 Genetic Screening and Designer Babies:
Preimplantation genetic testing (PGT) is used
to detect genetic disorders before
implantation, but it raises questions about
selecting for traits, such as intelligence or
physical appearance.
4.2. Legal Issues
 Parentage and Custody: Legal disputes can

arise concerning parental rights, especially in
surrogacy arrangements or when donors are
involved.
 Regulation of ART Clinics: ART practices are
regulated differently across countries, with
some countries having stringent laws and
others offering limited oversight.
4.3. Psychological and Emotional
Considerations
 Stress and Mental Health: The physical,

emotional, and financial toll of ART can lead
to stress, anxiety, and depression. Counseling
and support are often recommended for
couples undergoing ART.
 Impact of Multiple Attempts: Not all ART
cycles are successful, and repeated failures
can be emotionally challenging for couples.
5. Success Rates and Challenges

Success rates for ART vary based on several
factors:
1.Age: Women under 35 have higher success
rates, which decline with age, especially after
40.
2.Health of Eggs and Sperm: The quality of
gametes plays a significant role in the success
of ART.
3.Technology and Techniques: Advances in ART
techniques, such as ICSI, embryo freezing, and
genetic screening, have improved outcomes.
4.Clinic Expertise: The success rates of ART can
vary by clinic, depending on experience,
facilities, and technologies available.
5.Emotional and Psychological Challenges: ART
can be emotionally taxing for individuals or
couples, particularly if multiple attempts are
required or if the outcomes are unsuccessful.
6. Conclusion
Assisted Reproductive Techniques offer hope to
many individuals and couples facing infertility
issues. Although ART has led to significant
advancements in reproductive medicine, it is
essential to consider the medical, ethical,
psychological, and legal aspects of these
treatments. Ongoing research and technological
improvements promise to continue improving the
success rates of ART, while also addressing the
challenges associated with these techniques.
Future advancements, such as genetic
engineering and improved embryo culture
techniques, will likely enhance the ability to
manage infertility, but they will also continue to
spark ethical debates that need to be carefully
managed within both societal and regulatory
frameworks.
7. References
1.World Health Organization (WHO). (2020).
"Infertility: A Worldwide Problem."
2.Practice Committee of the American Society
for Reproductive Medicine. (2018).
"Definitions of infertility and recurrent
pregnancy loss." Fertility and Sterility.
3.Ethics Committee of the American Society for
Reproductive Medicine. (2012). "Ethical
considerations of ART." Fertility and Sterility.
4.Zegers-Hochschild, F., et al. (2009).
"International Committee for Monitoring
Assisted Reproductive Technologies: World
Report on ART." Fertility and Sterility.

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1.

2. Overview of Assisted Reproductive Techniques

known ART procedures. It involves

 Ovarian Stimulation: The woman

undergoes hormone treatment to

through a minor surgical procedure

sperm in the lab.

monitored as they grow.

sperm, the number of embryos, and the

sperm is directly inserted into the uterus

 Sperm Preparation: Sperm is

collected and washed to remove

treatments may be used to induce

into the uterus using a catheter.

timing of ovulation, and the woman’s

used when one or both partners have

 Egg Donation: A donor’s eggs are

fertilized using sperm from the

provides sperm, which is then used in

eggs or sperm, along with the recipient's

4.Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI)

single sperm is injected directly into an

Eggs are collected from the woman,

selected and injected directly into an

monitored and the healthiest

such as low sperm count or poor motility,

another woman (the surrogate) carries

Eggs and sperm are retrieved from

fertilized embryos are transferred into

3. Causes of Infertility and Indications for ART

ovary syndrome (PCOS) or premature

similar to the uterine lining grows outside

quality and quantity of a woman’s eggs as

affecting ovulation, such as thyroid

number of sperm in the semen.

Sperm have difficulty swimming,

sperm shape or structure.

sperm in the semen.

affecting sperm production.

the cause of infertility cannot be

ART provides reproductive solutions for

 Embryo Selection and Disposal: Decisions

 Parentage and Custody: Legal disputes can

 Stress and Mental Health: The physical,

5. Success Rates and Challenges

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