IVF-history

The history of IVF and ET dates back as early as the 1890's when Walter Heape successfully transferred embryos between rabbits, long before the applications to human fertility were even suggested. However, it was not until 1959 that indisputable evidence of IVF was obtained by Chang in experiments on rabbits. Professionals in the fields of microscopy, embryology, and anatomy laid the foundations for their achievement. The recent rapid growth of IVF and ET techniques are further supported by the social and scientific climate favorable to its continuation. Walter Heap's work together with other major advances throughout the last century, led some researchers to consider the possibility of IVF and ET in humans. In humans, IVF was developed for the treatment of tubal infertility but it shows great potentials for other applications. Numerous modifications were made during the development of IVF and ET in humans: refinement of fertilization and embryo culture media; earlier transfer of the embryo; improvements in equipments; use of reduced number of spermatozoa in fertilization dish. Although debate centered largely on the moral and legal issues of the IVF and ET procedures have escalated during its progress, in the near future IVF and EF will be viewed as a valuable infertility, as well as shed more light on the knowledge about the earliest stages of human development.

	The history of IVF and ET dates back as early as the 1890's when Walter Heape successfully transferred embryos between rabbits, long before the applications to human fertility were even suggested. However, it was not until 1959 that indisputable evidence of IVF was obtained by Chang in experiments on rabbits. Professionals in the fields of microscopy, embryology, and anatomy laid the foundations for their achievement. The recent rapid growth of IVF and ET techniques are further supported by the social and scientific climate favorable to its continuation. Walter Heap's work together with other major advances throughout the last century, led some researchers to consider the possibility of IVF and ET in humans. In humans, IVF was developed for the treatment of tubal infertility but it shows great potentials for other applications. Numerous modifications were made during the development of IVF and ET in humans: refinement of fertilization and embryo culture media; earlier transfer of the embryo; improvements in equipments; use of reduced number of spermatozoa in fertilization dish. Although debate centered largely on the moral and legal issues of the IVF and ET procedures have escalated during its progress, in the near future IVF and EF will be viewed as a valuable infertility, as well as shed more light on the knowledge about the earliest stages of human development.

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