title: Problems related to the laboratory part of treatment by in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer.
abstract: The successive stages leading to fertilization in mammals are reviewed in this article. Methods of human sperm preparation for IVF are described and the "ideal" delay between oocyte pick-up and insemination time is discussed, as well as methods to reduce the incidence of polyspermy. Different culture media and their supplementation are mentioned, as well as a semi-quantitative embryonic scoring system, defined by the IVF team of the Saint-Pierre Hospital in Brussels. Finally the optimal transfer time, and the handling of embryos at replacement are discussed.
authors.affiliation: In vitro fertilization clinic, Saint-Pierre Hospital, Free University Brussels, Belgium.
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Leroy
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Puissant
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Camus
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Englert
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D046508:Culture Techniques; D004624:Embryo Transfer / Q000379:methods*; D004622:Embryo, Mammalian / Q000502:physiology; D005306:Fertilization; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009865:Oocytes / Q000502:physiology; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000502:physiology