Pregnancy following intrauterine implantation of an embryo obtained by in vitro fertilization of a preovulatory egg

Abstract

A normally progressing pregnancy has been established by implanting an eight-cell embryo into the uterine cavity of an infertile woman. The embryo was obtained by in vitro fertilization of preovulatory egg aspirated at laparoscopy 28 hours after the beginning of the luteinizing hormone surge during the patient's natural menstrual cycle. Elevated levels of serum human chorionic gonadotropin and progressively increasing levels of total urinary estrogens and pregnanediol confirmed the presence of an early pregnancy. Ultrasound examination revealed an intrauterine gestational sac at 5 weeks, a 1-cm fetus with fetal heartbeat at 7 weeks, and an active, normally growing fetus at 13 and 16 weeks. Chromosome analysis at this time revealed no abnormality, and the alpha-fetoprotein level was within normal limits. The patient is due to be delivered on or about June 28.