In vitro fertilisation ( IVF ) is a process of fertilisation where an
egg is combined with sperm in vitro ("in glass"). The process involves
monitoring and stimulating a woman's ovulatory process, removing an ovum or
ova (egg or eggs) from her ovaries and letting sperm fertilise them in a
culture medium in a laboratory. After the fertilised egg (zygote) undergoes
embryo culture for 2–6 days, it is transferred by catheter into the uterus,
with the intention of establishing a successful pregnancy.
IVF is a type of assisted reproductive technology used for infertility
treatment, gestational surrogacy, and, in combination with pre-implantation
genetic testing, avoiding transmission of genetic conditions.