In vitro fertilisation (IVF). A doctor examines tubes of fluid from ovarian puncture procedure, from which ova (eggs) are collected for IVF. In IVF, f

---

In vitro fertilisation (IVF). A doctor examines tubes of fluid from ovarian puncture procedure, from which ova (eggs) are collected for IVF. In IVF, fertility drugs are given to potential mothers to stimulate the production of several ova, rather than the usual one. These are then harvested, usually by laparoscopy, and are fertilised in a petri dish, using a fresh or frozen sample of sperm. If fertilisation is successful, the embryos are incubated and then transferred back into the woman's uterus. 3-4 embryos are often introduced to increase the probability that one will implant. Any surplus embryos can be frozen and stored for possible future use. Photographed at the Institute Mutualiste Montsouris, Paris.

---

Size: 5100px × 3394px
Photo credit: © PATRICE LATRON/EURELIOS/LOOK AT SCIENCES/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No

Keywords: 2013, 21st, century, collected, doctor, eggs, embryo, fertilisation, fertility, fertilization, fluid, france, french, gloves, harvest, harvested, healthcare, infertile, infertility, ivf, male, man, medical, medicine, oocyte, ova, ovarian, ovary, ovum, people, person, puncture, reproduction, reproductive, technique, test, therapy, treatment, tube, vitro