IVF vs IVM

In vitro fertilization abbreviated as IVF is a process of artificial fertilization where the egg cells are allowed to conjugate with the sperm cells outside the womb, in a fluid medium, in vitro. In vitro fertilization is a significantly held pioneering treatment to deal with infertility. Doctors take recede to this process once all other methods of assisted reproductive tools fail. On the other hand, In vitro maturation which is abbreviated as IVM is a technique of allowing the ovarian follicles to grow and mature outside the womb, in vitro. In vitro maturation is carried out to allow the maturation of those follicles that are destined to die. These follicles can thereon be used for more information on oocyte maturation and folliculogenesis.

The stages of In vitro fertilization are,

• Ovarian Stimulation: The process is initiated on the third day of menstruation and continues with the application of fertility medications stimulating the development of numerous follicles inside the ovaries.
• Egg Retrieval: Once the follicles grow adequately, human chorionic gonadotropin is applied which leads to ovulation within the next 42 hours. Meanwhile the retrieval takes place and the egg cells are recovered from the ovary.
• Fertilization: Semen is prepared in the laboratory removing the entire seminal fluid and the inactive cells. There on the ovum and the sperm is subjected to incubation at a ratio of 75,000:1 in the medium of culture for a stretch of 18 hours.
• Selection: 6 to 8 cell stage embryos are placed in an extensive culture system three days after retrieval. Thereon a second transfer is done 5 days from the retrieval in the blastocyst stage.
• Embryo Transfer: The growing embryos are rated on the basis of the growth, cell number and fragmentation rate. The transfer depends on the available number, the health of the female and various other diagnostic factors. Only the best embryos are transferred into the uterus through a thin plastic catheter through the vagina and the cervix.

These are all medical process held in laboratory conditions.

Stages in In vitro maturation are,

• Folliculogenesis
• primordial follicle growth
• primary follicle growth
• secondary follicle growth
• early tertiary follicle growth
• late tertiary follicle growth
• pre-ovulatory follicle growth

These are all organic processes taking place in laboratory conditions.

Summary:
1. IVF is in vitro fertilization whereas IVM is in vitro maturation.
2. In vitro fertilization is a process of artificial fertilization whereas in vitro maturation is a process of allowing follicles mature in vitro for further clinical observation.
3. IVF is carried out in 5 distinct medical stages while IVM is carried out in 7 distinct organic stages.

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