title: [Modern fertilization techniques].
abstract: In Germany, some 17.2% of married couples are unintentionally childless. Of these, about one-third have a male factor infertility (with disordered spermatogenesis), which in part is unresponsive to drug treatment. In such cases, assisted reproductive techniques are giving childless couples new hope. The techniques are based on two principles: 1) in vitro improvement in semen quality in the laboratory, and 2) the overcoming of natural barriers to fertilization. The latter includes intra-uterine insemination (IUT), in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer (IVF/ET), gamete intrafallopian transfer (GIFT), subzonal sperm insemination (SUZI), zona pellucida drilling, and intracytoplasmatic injection of sperm (ICSI). ICSI has also used epididymal spermatozoa obtained by microsurgical aspiration (MESA) and sperm extracted from testicular biopsies (TESA). These methods have their own specific indications, contraindications and pregnancy rates. However, assisted conception techniques should not be considered outside the overall situation of the couple, including ethical, sociological, physiological and general medical problems.
authors.affiliation: Dermatol. Klinik, Universität Leipzig.
authors.forename: H J
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Glander
mesh_terms: D005260:Female; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro / Q000639:trends*; D005544:Forecasting; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007246:Infertility / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D008297:Male; D011247:Pregnancy; D016896:Treatment Outcome