Abbreviation: IVF.
Laboratory-produced conception, used to enable pregnancy in infertile women when sperm access to ova is prevented by structural defects in the fallopian tubes or other factors, or in combination with her partner's sterility. After drug-induced follicle maturation, a sample of ova and follicular fluid is removed surgically and mixed with a specimen of the partner's sperm for incubation. The resulting zygote is introduced into the woman's uterus for implantation.

See: embryo transfer; GIFT; ZIFT

Main entry:
fertilization