Download Reproductive Technologies

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Include proven procedures and techniques
which often involve the laboratory handling of
human oocytes (eggs) and/or embryos.
Procedures follow a general pattern of ovarian
stimulation, monitoring, retrieval, insemination
and transfer
…but ultimately depend your reproductive
health status, needs, resources and preferences
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Q: Why do we need reproductive technologies?
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A: Mostly due to infertility
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There are multiple causes of infertility and in
many patients more than one cause may be
present.
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Common causes of infertility:
Abnormal sperm parameters in 35% of cases
 Ovulation and egg quality disorders in 25% of cases
 Pelvic adhesions
 Endometriosis
 Fallopian tube disorders
 Uterine disorders
 5%-10% of cases specific factors cannot be identified
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http://aart.ca/infertility
Technology
What Is It?
Who Benefits?
Artificial Insemination
(AI)
Sperm is placed in the
vagina by a physician
An infertile couple, if the
man has a low sperm
count (sperm can be
collected and
concentrated)
Or a woman who does
not have a male partner
and wants a child.
Technology
What Is It?
Who Benefits?
In vitro fertilization
(IVF)
Fertilization takes place
outside the body, in a
laboratory procedure.
A woman who has
damaged or blocked
oviducts.
The zygotes are
implanted in the uterus.
Technology
What Is It?
Who Benefits?
In vitro maturation
(IVM)
Primary follicles are
removed from the
ovaries and induced to
mature into secondary
oocytes.
A woman who will
undergo in-vitro
fertilization.
Used in conjunction with
IVF.
Technology
What Is It?
Superovulation
Superovulation is used to A woman who is
produce multiple ova for undergoing IVF
IVF, to increase the
chance of pregnancy.
Or a woman who does
not ovulate regularly,
FSH injections stimulate frequently, or at all, to
the development of
increase her chances of
multiple follicles.
pregnancy.
HCG (human chorionic
gonadotropin) stimulates
ovulation.
Who Benefits?
Technology
What Is It?
Who Benefits?
Surrogate motherhood
A zygote from an
infertile couple (obtained
by IVF) is placed in the
uterus of a surrogate
mother.
A woman who cannot
bring a child to term
Or a couple who is
infertile due to unknown
causes or due to factors
Alternatively, a surrogate that cannot be overcome
mother undergoes AI,
by other technologies.
using sperm from the
male of the infertile
couple.
Technology
What Is It?
Who Benefits?
Cryopreservation
Oocytes, sperm and even A male or female cancer
embryos are preserved
patient, who may
by freezing.
become infertile or sterile
due to radiation therapy
Or a sperm bank that
supplies semen for AI.
Atlantic Assisted Reproductive Therapies (AART)
AART is Atlantic Canada’s major centre for
Assisted Reproductive Therapies. Established by
the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology
over 20 years ago.
This is a state of the art facility, equipped with the
latest technology. It provides a comfortable and
caring environment for patients and their families.
AART provides services for:
 Controlled Ovarian Stimulation (COH)
 Intrauterine Insemination
 Therapeutic Donor Insemination
 In Vitro Fertilization
 Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection
 Blastocyst Transfer
 Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis
 Stress Management
 Preserving Embryos and Sperm
 Donor Egg Program
 Drug Therapies
For more information you can contact:
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http://aart.ca/
902.404.8600 • [email protected] • Suite 213, 1535
Dresden Row, Halifax, NS, B3J 3T1