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in vitro fertilization  the process by which conception takes place in a laboratory medium. A lay term for the product of in vitro fertilization is “test tube baby.”The treatment cycle involves the following steps: (1) Induction of ovulation with fertility drugs, such as clomiphene citrate or injectable follicle-stimulating hormone and luteinizing hormone (either separately or in combination), to produce multiple ovarian follicles. When the largest follicle reaches 20 mm in diameter the patient is given an injection of human chorionic gonadotropin to induce expulsion of the oocyte from the follicle. (2) laparoscopy and follicular aspiration for the harvesting of oocytes. (3) Maturation of retrieved oocytes and inoculation with the husband's or donor's sperm. (4) incubation of the resulting embryos until they reach the two- to six-cell stage. (5) Transfer of an embryo via catheter into the patient's uterus. At this point intensive intervention ceases, the pregnancy is considered normal, and no further manipulation is required.




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