1. IN VITRO FERTILISATION
IVF
© 2016 Paul Billiet ODWS

2. IVF
The fertilisation of an oocyte by a sperm from a male and a female donor outside the woman
Subsequent implantation of the early embryo into a receptive female’s uterus.
© 2016 Paul Billiet ODWS

3. The method - collecting the oocytes
Medication to suppress the LH surge and ovulation until the developing eggs are ready
FSH injections for about 7-12 days to stimulate development of multiple eggs
HCG is used 36 hours before collection to mature the oocytes and loosen them in their follicles
The oocytes she produces are collected by laproscopy from mature follicles on the surface of the ovary
The collected oocytes are separated from the follicular liquid.
© 2016 Paul Billiet ODWS

4. Multiple follicles (black areas) in a stimulated ovary
© 2016 Paul Billiet ODWS

5. The method - collecting the sperms
Sperms are harvested from a male by ejaculation
the sperms are washed to activate them (capacitation)
Then selected for good motility.
© 2016 Paul Billiet ODWS

6. The method - fertilisation
sperms are placed in a dish with one oocyte
The culture medium is similar to that found in the fallopian tube of a woman
They are left for 2 to 6 hours
The zygotes are then placed in a sperm free medium.
© 2016 Paul Billiet ODWS

7. Development of the embryo
The embryos are left to develop for 3 days and the best are selected for implantation
Implantation of 2 or 3 embryos in a receptive mother.
© 2016 Paul Billiet ODWS

8. The “mother”
Implantation can be in the same woman who donated the oocyte
In which case the timing must be right, 7 – 10 days after ovulation
Implantation could be carried out in another woman (surrogate mother) who has had hormone treatment to prepare her uterus for implantation.
© 2016 Paul Billiet ODWS

9. Ethical Issues
For
IVF can permit childless couples to have their own children
IVF can be used to select embryos which can survive in couples which carry genetic diseases
The use of surrogate mothers could permit professional women to continue their careers.
© 2016 Paul Billiet ODWS

10. Ethical Issues Against
Not all the embryos created are used, so some will be destroyed yet they can be considered individuals
The method for obtaining the oocytes from the mother are not without some risks
Women are implanted with several embryos which increases the chances of multiple births. This places the mother and her babies at risk
IVF could increase the chances of babies with congenital problems being born.
© 2016 Paul Billiet ODWS

11. Risks - Congenital problems
Under natural conditions
For 100 oocytes exposed to sperms
84% are fertilised
69% implant in the uterus
42% develop to the end of the 1st week
37% survive to the end of the 6th week
31% survive to birth
© 2016 Paul Billiet ODWS

12. In vivo fertilisation there is a filtering of congenital defects which occur during gamete formation
IVF is 0 – 25% successful so it does not seem to be encouraging the birth of children affected with congenital problems.
© 2016 Paul Billiet ODWS

13. It could lead to selective breeding (eugenics)
It could be abused to promote particular characteristics (positive eugenics)
It is already being used to eliminate undesirable characteristics (negative eugenics) such as congenital problems.
© 2016 Paul Billiet ODWS

14. It could encourage the involvement of surrogate mothers
All sorts of possible combinations are possible, sperm donors, oocyte donors, surrogate mothers.
© 2016 Paul Billiet ODWS

15. Cells for brothers and sisters with congenital problems
Stem cells can be extracted from the umbilical cords of a new born baby and transplanted into another person
Several attempts are made to create the right individual.
© 2016 Paul Billiet ODWS