Assisted Reproductive Technology Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) was a term introduced in the 1980s which applied to infertility

therapy-assisted reproductive technology. More than 60,000 infants were born as the result of assisted reproductive technology treatments/procedures in 2009 alone. This number represents a little more than one percent of the United States birth cohort. Assisted Reproductive Technology includes all treatments for infertility in which both sperm and eggs may be manipulated. Assisted Reproductive Technology involves retrieving a womans eggs from the ovaries, combining them in the laboratory with sperm, and then either returning them to the womans body fertilized or donating them to some other woman. Assisted Reproductive Technology is categorized according to whether a womans own eggs are used in the procedure or whether the eggs are retrieved from another woman as well as to whether embryos are fresh (newly fertilized) or fertilized previously, frozen and subsequently thawed. ART Methods of Aiding Fertilization y In vitro fertilizationembryo transfer (IVF-ET)In vitro fertilization involves the joining of eggs and sperm outside the body in a lab. Once an embryo or embryos are formed, they are then placed in the uterus. Eggs are normally fertilized in the womans fallopian tubes; however, if the tubes are obstructed and if their normal structure cannot be surgically repaired, eggs can be retrieved from the womans ovaries and subsequently fertilized with the womans partners sperm in the laboratory. Embryos formed as the result of in vitro fertilization can then be transferred to the uterus through the cervix. This process is called in vitro fertilization because in vitro literally means in glass, and that is where the fertilization occurs. Embryo cryopreservation (freezing)With cryopreservation, embryos produced during in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer (IVF-ET) are stored at very low temperature in liquid nitrogen so that at some point in the future, they can be warmed in order to be returned to the womans uterus thereby providing another opportunity for a pregnancy to occur. In other words the viability of extra embryos produced is able to be maintained through freezing. Gamete intrafallopian transfer (GIFT)This procedure involves the use of a laparoscope (fiber-optic instrument) in order to guide transfer of unfertilized eggs and gametes (sperm) into the fallopian tubes by means of small abdominal incisions. Zygote intrafallopian transfer (ZIFT)ZIFT involves the fertilization of a womans eggs in the lab and subsequent guiding the transfer of zygotes (fertilized eggs) into the womans fallopian tubes by the use of a laparoscope. Intra cytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI)With the process of intra cytoplasmic sperm injection, a single sperm is directly injected into the egg. Then the embryos are cultured and transferred to the womans uterus as in a standard in vitro fertilization.

Test-Tube Babies Today in vitro fertilization is considered a household word, but not too long ago, it was a mysterious procedure. Babies that were produced in this way were called test-tube babies. Louise Brown who was born in England in 1978 was the worlds first test-tube baby conceived outside her mothers womb. Since the introduction of in vitro fertilization in the U.S. in 1981, in vitro fertilization and other assisted reproductive technologies have resulted in more than 200,000 babies. Statistics and More Information According to the National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention Center for Disease Control (CDC), in 2007, 36.5 percent of ART procedures using fresh non donor eggs were in vitro fertilizations without intra cytoplasmic sperm injection. 63.4 percent of in vitro fertilizations were performed with intra cytoplasmic sperm injections. Less than .1 percent of all fertility procedures performed were gamete intrafallopian transfers, and .1 percent were zygote intrafallopian transfers. Scientific progress in the area of assisted reproductive technology has made available new options for couples to create a family. Embryo, sperm, and egg preservation and fertilization outside the womb are not the only available options; couples also have the option of traditional surrogacy as well as sperm/egg donation. Because the science of assisted reproductive technology is constantly changing/progressing as are the laws surrounding implementation of this new technology, it is important to consult with an experienced reproductive family lawyer in order to navigate through the legal maze that has been created with the introduction of this new science. The Center for Disease Control (CDC) is currently working to establish a collaborative network of ten states in which the use of assisted reproductive technology is common and where the states vital statistics allow computer network linkages. This network will be an important first step toward the creation of a national surveillance system which will monitor assisted reproductive technology infant and maternal health outcomes. The systematic assessment of outcomes of the use of assisted reproductive technology is possible through linking ART data with existing health care systems and computer banks of vital statistics. Called the National ART Surveillance System (NASS) the CDC system is a web-based assisted reproductive technology data reporting system is supported by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. NASS is the only Center for Disease Control-approved data collecting/reporting system for ART procedures which were performed from the years 2004 through 2010. In order to be considered to be in compliance with the Fertility Clinic Success Rate and Certification Act of 1992, assisted reproductive technology clinics must submit data to the CDC via the NASS reporting system or an alternative system considered to be compatible with the law.

Causes of Infertility Which May Be Treated With Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) y y y y y y Problems/obstructions of the uterus or fallopian tubes Endometriosis Problems with ovulation Formation of antibodies which harm eggs or sperm Low sperm count Inability of sperm to survive in cervical mucus

Assisted Reproductive Technology is never the first place to turn for the treatment of infertility. It brings to the forefront important legal issues/concerns and is therefore reserved for cases where other infertility treatment methods have not worked such as surgery, fertility drugs, and artificial insemination. Contact a Legal Expert If you have a family law question pertaining to assisted reproductive technology (ART) and new procedures legal issues/possible complications, contact a Lake Worth family law attorney today at the law offices of Brian Moskowitz Call (561)-369-4481 or fill out our online contact form. These articles are provided for informational purposes only and should not be considered legal advice. Professional legal counsel should be sought for specific advice relevant to your circumstances.