Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
Review
. 2014;90(5):184-201.
doi: 10.2183/pjab.90.184.

In vitro fertilization in Japan - early days of in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer and future prospects for assisted reproductive technology

Masakuni Suzuki  1
Affiliations
Review

In vitro fertilization in Japan - early days of in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer and future prospects for assisted reproductive technology

Masakuni Suzuki. Proc Jpn Acad Ser B Phys Biol Sci. 2014.

Abstract

Assisted reproductive technology (ART) such as in vitro fertilization (IVF) and embryo transfer (ET) has been essential in the treatment of infertility. The world's first IVF-ET baby was born in 1978 based on the technique developed by Dr. Robert Edwards and Dr. Patrick Steptoe. In Japan, the first IVF-ET birth was reported in 1983 by Prof. Masakuni Suzuki at Tohoku University School of Medicine. IVF-ET is a procedure used to achieve pregnancy that consists of extracting oocytes from an infertile woman, fertilizing them in vitro, and transferring fertilized eggs into the patient's uterine cavity (Fig. 1). Since the first report of successful IVF-ET, numerous techniques related to ART, such as cryopreservation of oocytes and embryos, gamete intrafallopian transfer (GIFT), and microinsemination, have been developed and refined (Table 1). Herein we describe the history of basic research in IVF-ET that led to human applications, how the birth of the first IVF-ET baby was achieved in Japan, the current status of ART in Japan, issues related to ART, and future prospects for ART.

PubMed Disclaimer

Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
In vitro fertilization and embryo transfer process. A: Induction of ovulation: After menstruation, ovulation is induced to produce multiple oocytes. B: Testing: 1. Follicular diameter is measured using ultrasound. 2. Blood estradiol (E2) levels are measured. 3. Oocyte maturity is assessed with urinary Luteinizing Hormone (LH) measurements. C: Oocyte retrieval: Ultrasound-guided transvaginal follicle puncture is used to collect oocytes. D: Semen collection: Semen is collected from the husband. E: Sperm preparation: Semen is separated into multiple layers on a thickener effluent, and separated using a centrifuge. (400 × g, 30 min). F: Insemination: The semen and oocytes are placed together in a dish with culture media. G: Confirmation of fertilization: Fertilization is confirmed on the first day after oocyte retrieval. H: Embryo transfer: On the third or fifth day after oocyte retrieval, fertilized eggs are transferred to the uterus through a catheter.
Figure 2.
Figure 2.
Number of registered ART institutions.
Figure 3.
Figure 3.
Number of couples treated by ART methods annually.
Figure 4.
Figure 4.
Number of children born via each ART method annually.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

    1. Steptoe P.C., Edwards R.G. (1978) Birth after the reimplantation of a human embryo. Lancet 2, 366. - PubMed
    1. Suzuki M., Hoshi K., Hoshiai H., Saito A., Momono K., Mori R., Kyono K., Tsuiki A., Imaizumi H., Nagaike H., Uehara S., Naganuma T., Hirose Y. (1983) Pregnancy achieved through in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer. Jpn. J. Fert. Steril. 28, 439–443
    1. Suzuki M., Hoshiai H., Hoshi K., Saito A., Uehara S., Tsuiki A. (1984) In vitro fertilization and Embryo Transfer at Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan. J. In vitro Fert. Embryo Transf. 1, 82
    1. Chang M.C. (1951) Fertilizing capacity of spermatozoa deposited into the fallopian tubes. Nature 168, 697–698 - PubMed
    1. Austin C.R. (1951) Observations on the penetration of the sperm in the mammalian egg. Aust. J. Sci. Res. B 4, 581–596 - PubMed