INDICATIONS FOR INVITRO FERTILIZATION AND RESULTS

During the last few years, many healthy children have been born after in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer, fulfilling the wish for a child for many couples who had often nearly given up hope. Because of in vitro fertilization and other related methods developed subsequently (gamete intra-Fallopian transfer, intratubal embryo transfer), progress in the diagnosis and treatment of involuntary childlessness took place and has helped many patients. Furthermore, by dealing with these methods, new knowledge about ovarian function, fertilization and early embryonic development could be gained. This has also led to better treatment of childless couples. Despite the broad diagnostic and therapeutic possibilities of reproductive medicine, its limits must also be taken into account. These limitations have been recognized early by physicians and scientists dealing with this subject and also by society. Guidelines and laws have been drawn up which now give a clear framework.