In Vitro Fertilisation
Biology: AQA GCSE Higher, topic 5.3.30
In Vitro Fertilisation (IVF) Treatment
In vitro fertilisation (IVF) is a modern reproductive technology. This is how it works:
Fertility drugs given
- FSH and LH are given as fertility drugs to stimulate the growth of large numbers of eggs.
Eggs fertilised
- These eggs are then collected before being fertilised in a dish in a laboratory, using sperm from the father.
- This is why babies born using this technique are often called ‘test tube babies’.
Embryo(s) implanted
- The fertilised eggs are allowed to grow into embryos. One of these is then implanted into the woman’s uterus.
- Sometimes, two embryos are implanted to try to increase the chance of pregnancy.
Test yourself on In Vitro Fertilisation
What are the hormones given at the start of an IVF treatment called?
Which statement in each pair is true about IVF?
In Vitro Fertilisation
Why are babies born through IVF often called 'test tube babies'?