First in vitro fertilization baby—this is how it happened

Abstract

On July 25, 1978, the first human was born following extracorporeal fertilization, an event that opened up a new medical science: expanding our knowledge of and developing novel treatments for infertility, radically changing the opportunities for families with inherited monogenic disorders, generating the new discipline of clinical embryology, and paving the way for studies into stem cell biology. In vitro fertilization (IVF), as it became known in its simplest form, went even further: it engaged the myriad of minds in human society. Not only were books written on the moral status of the human embryo, the ethics of IVF practice, and exercising governments on appropriate-which turned out to be disparate-regulation, it redefined family life! The prediction I made in 1985 that one day we may see five "parents" for one child became a reality quicker than we could have imagined at the time. The new medical science marched inexorably on in almost all countries of the world-a universal human plight at last had an opportunity for remedy: more than 10 million couples seeking a resolution to their infertility became parents, men who had no option to have their own genetic child became genetic fathers, and ever-increasing monogenic conditions were not being passed on to the next generation. The future may well bring to bear the opportunity for in vitro-developed viable gametes to generate successful pregnancies, and other "futuristic" opportunities for IVF science. But its story began over a century ago with seeking an understanding on how an egg matures and how to achieve successful fertilization-a fundamental scientific inquiry. It took one man to go beyond that scientific endeavor, to take head on a society unprepared and unwilling to accept human fertilization in vitro and unempathetic to the plight of the infertile; one man to see what prospects lay ahead for humanity should IVF become a reality, and for that man to battle every step of the way for nearly 2 decades to achieve that dream.

Extracellular vesicles and melatonin benefit embryonic develop by regulating reactive oxygen species and 5‐methylcytosine

“…Significant progress has been made in assisted reproduction techniques (ART) for the treatment of infertility ever since Louise Brown, the first test‐tube baby, was successfully conceived by in vitro fertilization (IVF) in 1978 . During the past 40 years, the number of infants conceived through IVF accounts for approximately 0.1% of the total global birth population .…”

Effect of Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) on Babies Born: Compared by IVF Laboratories of Two Countries

“…Forty years ago, the first baby was born by IVF. So far, thousands of human IVF centers or clinics have been set up, and hundreds and thousands of IVF babies have been born all over the world [13][14][15][16]. This technology has brought many infertile families happiness.…”

Single embryo transfer with frozen transfer of all remaining embryos without further embryonic testing should be the standard of care in IVF

“…This year commemorates the 40th birthday of the first baby born through in vitro fertilisation (IVF) . In its infancy, IVF was a procedure with low efficiency, applied mostly in women with tubal pathology and performed against the odds . In 1992, the introduction of intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) assisted men with poor semen quality to father a child .…”

“…1 In its infancy, IVF was a procedure with low efficiency, applied mostly in women with tubal pathology and performed against the odds. 2 In 1992, the introduction of intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) assisted men with poor semen quality to father a child. 3 In the following decades, the effectiveness of IVF improved, with optimised stimulation, monitoring, and lab techniques resulting in a greater number of oocytes harvested, extra embryos transferred, and consequently more babies born per cycle begun.…”