Oocytes fertilized in the lab and transferred to the uterus is the technique followed in?

DSSSB - 29 August 2019 (Shift-2)

Obstetrics & Gynaecology

Easy

Appeared in: DSSSB - 29 August 2019 (Shift-2)

Explanation

The question describes a process where fertilization occurs in a laboratory setting ('in vitro') and the resulting embryo is placed into the uterus.
This two-step process of external fertilization followed by uterine transfer is the definition of In Vitro Fertilization (IVF).
In IVF, mature eggs are retrieved from the ovaries and fertilized with sperm in a controlled lab environment.
After the embryo develops for 3-5 days, it is transferred into the woman's uterus to continue its growth.

Option A: In Gamete Intrafallopian Transfer (GIFT), both the eggs (gametes) and sperm are collected but are immediately placed into the fallopian tube. Fertilization happens inside the body (in vivo), not in a lab.
Option B: Surrogacy is an arrangement where another woman (the surrogate) carries a pregnancy for the intended parents. While the embryo may be created using IVF, surrogacy itself is not a fertilization technique but rather a method of gestation.
Option D: Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI) is a specialized form of IVF where a single sperm is injected directly into an egg. While it involves lab fertilization and uterine transfer, it is a specific technique used within the broader category of IVF, often for male-factor infertility. IVF is the more general and encompassing term for the process described.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: Knowing Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) Techniques helps nurses interpret findings accurately and avoid errors in routine assessment, medication administration, and patient teaching.
Nurses play a crucial role in supporting couples undergoing IVF, which includes patient education on the complex process, administering hormonal medications, providing emotional support during a stressful time, and monitoring for complications like Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome (OHSS).
Understanding the differences between ARTs is vital for nurses to provide accurate information and counsel patients on their treatment options and what to expect.
What if? If a couple had strong ethical or religious objections to fertilization occurring outside the body, the most suitable alternative among the options would be Gamete Intrafallopian Transfer (GIFT), as it allows fertilization to happen naturally within the fallopian tube.

How to Approach the Question

First, break down the question into key actions: 1) Where does fertilization happen? and 2) Where is the product transferred?
The question states fertilization happens in the 'lab' (outside the body, or 'in vitro').
It then states the fertilized oocyte (now an embryo) is 'transferred to the uterus'.
Evaluate each option against these two criteria.
Eliminate 'GIFT' because fertilization occurs inside the fallopian tube, not a lab.
Eliminate 'Surrogacy' as it describes who carries the pregnancy, not the fertilization method.

Concept Tested & Keywords

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E6 Gynecology Williams pp. 52-76, 51-76