What is the fertilization of an egg in a medium outside the uterus and its subsequent transfer into the mother's uterus called?

1. A

   Zygote intra fallopian transfer

2. B

   In vitro fertilization

3. C

   Intracytoplasmic Injection

4. D

   Gamete intra fallopian transfer

Appeared in: P.CHO-2019

Explanation

• In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) is a process where oocytes (eggs) are retrieved from the ovaries and fertilized with sperm in a laboratory.
• This fertilization happens 'in vitro,' which means 'in glass' or outside the body.
• After fertilization, the resulting embryo is allowed to develop for a few days before being transferred directly into the endometrial cavity of the uterus.
• This procedure perfectly matches the two key actions described in the question: fertilization outside the uterus and subsequent transfer into the uterus.

Why Other Options Were Wrong

• Option A: In Zygote Intrafallopian Transfer (ZIFT), fertilization occurs in the lab, but the resulting zygote (a very early embryo) is transferred into the fallopian tube, not directly into the uterus as the question specifies.
• Option C: Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI) is a specific laboratory technique used during an IVF cycle to fertilize the egg by injecting a single sperm directly into it. It is a method of fertilization, not the name for the entire process of external fertilization and uterine transfer.
• Option D: In Gamete Intrafallopian Transfer (GIFT), both the eggs (gametes) and sperm are placed into the fallopian tube to allow fertilization to occur naturally inside the body (in vivo). This contradicts the question's detail that fertilization happens 'outside the uterus'.

Related Visual

Clinical Relevance

• Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Definitions of Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) procedures as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
• Nurses play a crucial role in supporting couples undergoing ART by providing education on the complex procedures, administering hormonal medications, offering emotional support during the often stressful process, and monitoring for complications like Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome (OHSS).
• Understanding the differences between ART procedures is vital for accurate patient teaching and for addressing patient questions and concerns effectively.
• What if the male partner has a very low sperm count? The overall procedure is still called IVF, but the specific method of fertilization used in the lab would likely be Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI) to ensure the egg is fertilized.

How to Approach the Question

• This is a definition-based recall question. The goal is to match the description in the stem to the correct medical term.
• First, break down the question into its two core components: 1) Where does fertilization happen? and 2) Where is the product transferred?
• Analyze the stem: Fertilization occurs 'in a medium outside the uterus' (meaning in vitro/in the lab). The transfer is 'into the mother's uterus'.
• Evaluate each option against these two facts.
• Option A (ZIFT): Transfer is to the fallopian tube, not the uterus. Incorrect.
• Option B (IVF): Fertilization is outside, transfer is to the uterus. Correct.

Concept Tested & Keywords

• Concept Tested: Definitions of Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) procedures
• Stem keywords: fertilization, egg, outside the uterus, transfer, mother's uterus
• Lead-in keywords: called

Question ID

Qmh6uHt_IaKlmBR4V-TzLw

Copy ID

Reference Book

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