PC Steptoe and RG Edwards reported the first successful human pregnancy from In Vitro Fertilization (resulting in the birth of Louise Brown) in 1978. This case involved an unstimulated IVF cycle with timing of the egg retrieval based on frequent (3 hour interval) measurements of luteinizing hormone (LH) concentrations (for detection of the LH surge).
Over the past 20+ years, several changes have been implemented during IVF cycles. Changes include continuous refinement of the indications for IVF, development of patient selection criteria, patient preparation, cost, medication protocols, egg retrieval procedures, the decision for IVF versus GIFT, embryo hatching, in vitro maturation of eggs, genetic concerns with ICSI, embryo co-culture systems, transfer of cellular material from one egg to another, and concerns with implantation.
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