F O R   P H Y S I C I A N S – resources
Assisted Reproductive Technology
Introduction
Historical Perspective
In Vitro Fertilization (IVF)
Gamete Intrafallopian Transfer (GIFT)
Tubal Embryo or Zygote Transfers (TET/ZIFT)
Micromanipulation: Assisted Fertilization
Assisted Hatching
Cryopreservation
Third-Party Gametes/Gestational Carriers and ART
The Future of ART

Historical Perspective
The first successful human birth from in vitro fertilization (IVF) occurred on July 25, 1978 in Great Britain. On December 28, 1981, the first baby conceived through IVF was born in the United States, in Norfolk, Virginia. Since that time, IVF and related technologies have achieved a prominent niche in the clinical management of infertility. In 1996 in the United States, 300 clinics reported initiating 44,647 IVF cycles, 3,768 donor oocyte cycles and 688 cycles of ART for host uterus. A total of 14,702 deliveries were reported. Worldwide over 100,000 children have been born. The major advances in the field of ART are summarized below:

19441st IVF attempt
1955Successful in vitro fertilization of a human oocyte
1958Gonadotropins extracted from human pituitary glands
1964Isolation of urinary menopausal gonadotropins
1968Laparoscopic oocyte retrieval
19761st human IVF pregnancy (ectopic)
1978Birth of Louise Brown in Lancashire, England
1980'sDevelopment of gonadotropin releasing hormone agonists
1981Birth of Elizabeth Carr in Norfolk, Virginia
1985Transvaginal oocyte retrieval with sonographic guidance
1990Assisted hatching
1990Development of gonadotropin releasing antagonists
1993Intracytoplasmic sperm injection
1996Blastocyst transfer
1998Clinical trials using gonadotropin releasing antagonists

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