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Fertilizare
Fertilizare
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Abstract
Assisted reproductive technology (ART) such as in vitro fertilization (IVF) and embryo transfer (ET)
has been essential in the treatment of infertility. The world's first IVF-ET baby was born in 1978
based on the technique developed by Dr. Robert Edwards and Dr. Patrick Steptoe. In Japan, the first
IVF-ET birth was reported in 1983 by Prof. Masakuni Suzuki at Tohoku University School of
Medicine. IVF-ET is a procedure used to achieve pregnancy that consists of extracting oocytes from
an infertile woman, fertilizing them in vitro, and transferring fertilized eggs into the patient's uterine
cavity (Fig. 1). Since the first report of successful IVF-ET, numerous techniques related to ART, such
as cryopreservation of oocytes and embryos, gamete intrafallopian transfer (GIFT), and
microinsemination, have been developed and refined (Table 1). Herein we describe the history of
basic research in IVF-ET that led to human applications, how the birth of the first IVF-ET baby was
achieved in Japan, the current status of ART in Japan, issues related to ART, and future prospects
for ART.