Definitions

Assisted Reproductive Technologies (ART) is the term we use to describe a range of advanced fertility treatments. The most widely known is In Vitro Fertilization (IVF). This intensive medical fertility therapy is the most common.

Other therapies under the ART umbrella include Gamete Intra-Fallopian Transfer (GIFT), Tubal Embryo Transfer (TET), the Donor Egg Program (DEP), and Intra-Cytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI). Depending on your personal medical situation, one or a combination may be indicated.

IVF: IVF is a process by which the woman receives daily hormone medications to stimulate the growth of multiple eggs. The eggs are removed and then incubated with sperm in a laboratory. Some of these eggs will fertilize and develop into embryos. The embryos are then transferred into the woman's uterus. IVF is by far the most common ART treatment utilized.  Click here for IVF Success Rates.

Please note that our age limit for IVF with your own eggs is 45.

GIFT: The GIFT technique is similar to IVF, except that the harvested eggs and sperm are placed directly into the fallopian tubes, so fertilization occurs in the woman's body. Once a common form of ART, GIFT is rarely performed in modern infertility treatment, as it is no more successful than IVF and requires surgery to replace the eggs and sperm.

TET: This is similar to IVF, except that beginning-stage embryos are placed directly in the fallopian tubes instead of the uterus. This is indicated if there is an abnormality of the cervix making it impossible to transfer embryos into the uterus.

COH/IUI (formerly known as SOURCE cycle) : In this process, the woman receives daily hormone medications to stimulate the growth of multiple eggs. Once the eggs have reached the right stage, intrauterine inseminations are done using specially treated sperm.

DEP: The Donor Egg Program provides donated eggs to women who are unable to use their own eggs to achieve pregnancy. IVF technology is used to retrieve eggs from donors, sperm from the recipient's partner are mixed with these donor eggs and the resulting embryos are then placed into the uterus of the recipient woman.

Please note that our age limit for receiving eggs from a donor is age 50. Because of the preparation necessary, we strongly advise consultation before 49 1/2 years old.

ICSI: This is a procedure used during many IVF and DEP cycles where a single sperm is microscopically injected into each mature egg in order to increase the chance of fertilization in a couple with abnormal sperm parameters. Part of the standard workup is a sperm analysis. If this analysis is abnormal, your SRM physician will determine whether ICSI or IVF is indicated. Click here for more details on ICSI.