Egg retrieval is a procedure used in IVF that usually is conducted under conscious sedation or general anaesthesia. The eggs are retrieved from the women using a trans-vaginal procedure involving an ultrasound-guided needle. This needle then pierces the vaginal wall to reach the ovaries. Through this needle follicles can be retrieved. This sample is then verified by scientists to actually contain ova. The retrieval procedure takes about 30 minutes to complete.

ART is any form of medical or clinical support to aid woman to become pregnant.

IVF is another form of ART (Assisted Reproductive Technology). IVF stands for In Vitro Fertilisation.  In Vitro literally means in Latin ‘in glass’ and Fertilisation means the fusion of gametes (Ovum and sperm) to produce a new organism. So essentially the term IVF directly means fertilisation within glass. However a contemporary understanding of this term IVF is the process of fertilisation performed outside of the womb/body.

Fertilization is the fusion of the gametes (Ovum and sperm) in current standard IVF procedures this usually occurs in a sterile MEA (Mouse Embryo Assay) tested polystyrene dish/plate.

MEA stands for Mouse Embryo Assay. The MEA test is an embryo toxicity batch test for products that are directly in contact with the embryo during fertilisation and growth. These products are sterile and come individually sealed. Most advanced IVF clinics implement this test or buy products that have already had this test performed. Some IVF clinics may not explain this MEA test to their patients either because they don’t use these MEA tested products (polystyrene dishes/plates) or they do not see the benefit in distressing the patient any more then they. If it is
The MEA test requirement for high quality products is that at least 80% of the 1-cell test mouse embryos must develop to the expanded blastocyst stage within 96 hours.

Pre-Implantation Genetic Diagnosis is an IVF procedure usually undertaken after fertilisation but before implantation. Essentially preimplantation genetic diagnosis can detect some hereditary genetic diseases in very early embryos. Each embryo is tested for the disease the parents carry and unaffected embryos are selected for transfer back to the woman's uterus.

To perform the genetic test, embryos are grown to the 8-cell stage (about 3 days) and then two cells are carefully separated from the embryo using a fine needle, these two biopsied cells are then used for the genetic diagnosis. Widespread research has demonstrated that this technique of embryo biopsy has no effect on the ability of embryos to continue normal growth and development.