Fertilization is accomplished in a lab setting, and embryos are transferred into the endometrium. What is this procedure called?

Fertilization is accomplished in a lab setting, and embryos are transferred into the endometrium. What is this procedure called?

• A. In vitro
• B. In vivo
• C. Artificial insemination
• D. Surrogacy

Answer: (A)

The described procedure is in vitro fertilization. In vitro means “in glass,” so fertilization occurs outside the body in a lab culture dish, and then the resulting embryos are transferred into the uterus (endometrium) to implant. This contrasts with in vivo fertilization, which happens naturally inside the body. Artificial insemination involves placing sperm into the reproductive tract to enable natural fertilization, not outside the body, and surrogacy refers to a pregnancy carried by another person.

The described procedure is in vitro fertilization. In vitro means “in glass,” so fertilization occurs outside the body in a lab culture dish, and then the resulting embryos are transferred into the uterus (endometrium) to implant. This contrasts with in vivo fertilization, which happens naturally inside the body. Artificial insemination involves placing sperm into the reproductive tract to enable natural fertilization, not outside the body, and surrogacy refers to a pregnancy carried by another person.