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Conventional IVF Insemination

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In Vitro Fertilization

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Abstract

In vitro fertilization (IVF) began by using what we call today conventional or traditional insemination techniques. In its most simplistic form, isolated cumulus-enclosed oocytes (in vitro matured or in vivo matured) are co-incubated with a number of motile spermatozoa (isolated from semen) for defined or less well-defined time periods. After co-incubation, oocytes are examined for proof that sperm penetrated the zona pellucida and oolemma: fertilization events that culminate in (1) formation of pronuclei that may be visualized in the oocyte cytoplasm or (2) cellular division if oocytes are evaluated after presumed pronuclear syngamy and dissolution. On the surface, this approach appears to be very simple and not very challenging from a technical standpoint; in fact, achieving success with human in vitro fertilization is less challenging than working with a number of other mammalian species. Be that as it may, successful fertilization cannot in vitro occur without significant oocyte- and sperm-related events. Oocyte maturation involves resumption of meiosis (nuclear maturation) and completion of cytoplasmic activities, including production, accumulation, and activation of cytoplasmic components that allow nuclear maturation and support post-fertilization events (cytoplasmic maturation). Sperm maturation involves physiological changes that must occur during transit from the testicular environment to being housed within the epididymis prior to ejaculatory expulsion, which lead to fertilizing competence (capacitation) when the sperm approaches and binds to the oocyte zona pellucida.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Fertility Center of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, USA

    Michael L. Reed

Authors
  1. Michael L. Reed
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Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Reproductive Biology Associates – Prelude, Atlanta, GA, USA

    Zsolt Peter Nagy

  2. Astra Fertility Group, Mississauga, ON, Canada

    Alex C. Varghese

  3. Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA

    Ashok Agarwal

Review Questions

Review Questions

  1. 1.

    List the in vivo physiological conditions regulating sperm capacitation that can be translated to the in vitro process.

  2. 2.

    List the visible physiological change(s) that occur during sperm capacitation.

  3. 3.

    List three physiological failure points for troubleshooting a cycle with completely failed fertilization.

  4. 4.

    Identify the physiological and nonphysiological functions performed by protein supplements.

  5. 5.

    Describe the differences between polyspermic and polygynic pronuclei and identifiers of each condition, and detail an approach to remedy each condition.

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Reed, M.L. (2019). Conventional IVF Insemination. In: Nagy, Z., Varghese, A., Agarwal, A. (eds) In Vitro Fertilization. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-43011-9_31

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-43011-9_31

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-319-43010-2

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-319-43011-9

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