In Vitro Fertilization (IVF)
In vitro fertilization (IVF) means "fertilization in glass." This is because, during the IVF cycle, egg cells are fertilized by sperm outside of the body in a laboratory. The process involves hormonally controlling the ovulatory process, removing eggs from the ovaries and letting sperm fertilize them in a fluid culture medium. Following fertilization and cell division in a humidity and temperature-controlled incubator, the embryo is transferred into the uterus of the intended carrier, hopefully resulting in a successful pregnancy.