surrogacy are some of the most common treatments available. IVF involves fertilising an egg with sperm outside the body, and then implanting the embryo in the uterus. IUI involves placing sperm directly in the uterus during ovulation. Surrogacy involves using a surrogate mother to carry the embryo to term. The success rates and costs of these treatments vary, with IVF being the most expensive and having the highest success rate. Legal and ethical considerations also come into play with surrogacy, which is currently unregulated in India. Recent advancements in time-lapse technology and early detection tools may improve the success rates of these treatments. Access to affordable and regulated infertility treatments is crucial for couples struggling with infertility in India.
In vitro fertilization (IVF) and its variants
In vitro fertilisation (IVF) is a fertility treatment in which eggs are removed from a person's ovaries and fertilised with sperm in a laboratory. The fertilised egg, or embryo, is then implanted into the uterus to grow. The process of IVF typically involves several steps, including an assessment of the cause of infertility, ovarian stimulation, egg and sperm collection, fertilisation, embryo culture, and transfer to the mother. The success rates of IVF in India vary depending on factors such as age and the cause of infertility but generally range between 30-40%.
There are also variants of IVF, such as intracytoplasmic sperm injection
(ICSI), intracytoplasmic morphologically selected sperm injection (IMSI), and pre-implantation genetic diagnosis (PGD). ICSI involves the injection of a single sperm directly into an egg, while IMSI uses a high-powered microscope to select the healthiest sperm for injection. PGD
involves the screening of embryos for genetic disorders before implantation. These variants can be useful for individuals with specific fertility issues, and can increase the success rates of IVF.
Intrauterine insemination (IUI) and other assisted reproductive technologies (ART)
Intrauterine insemination (IUI) is a form of assisted reproductive technology (ART) in which sperm is directly inserted into a woman's uterus to increase the chances of fertilisation. ART is a broad term that includes various techniques such as IVF, ICSI, and surrogacy, among others. In India, the use of ART has been steadily increasing due to rising infertility rates and advancements in technology. The ART market in India is expected to grow in the coming years, aided by increasing awareness, health insurance coverage, and employer adoption. However, access to ART remains limited, with only a small percentage of the population able to afford it. The government has introduced regulatory mechanisms to improve the status of ART in India and minimise the gap between India and the West. The use of ART in India also includes the potential for reproductive tourism and surrogacy, which raises ethical and legal concerns. Overall, ART is an important tool in addressing infertility in India, but access and ethical considerations must be carefully considered.
Genetic testing and screening for infertility treatments
Genetic testing and screening are important components of infertility treatments in India. These tests are used to assess the genetic health of both partners and identify any genetic abnormalities that may affect fertility or the health of the offspring. There are various types of genetic tests and screening processes used in infertility treatments, including carrier screening, preimplantation genetic testing
, and non-invasive prenatal testing. Carrier screening is used to identify if either partner is a carrier of a genetic disorder, while preimplantation genetic testing involves screening embryos for genetic abnormalities before they are implanted. Non-invasive prenatal testing is used to detect chromosomal abnormalities in the fetus during pregnancy. The benefits of genetic testing and screening in infertility treatments include the ability to identify and manage genetic disorders, increase the success rate of fertility tre