IVG (In Vitro Gametogenesis) and IVF (In Vitro Fertilization) are both reproductive technologies, but they differ significantly in their approach and stage of development.

1. IVF (In Vitro Fertilization)

Overview:

• A well-established fertility treatment used for decades.
• Involves retrieving eggs from a woman’s ovaries, fertilizing them with sperm in a lab, and transferring the resulting embryo(s) into the uterus.
• Commonly used for couples with infertility due to ovulatory disorders, blocked fallopian tubes, low sperm count, or unexplained infertility.

Process:

1. Ovarian stimulation using hormone injections.
2. Egg retrieval via a minor surgical procedure.
3. Fertilization with sperm in a lab (either conventional insemination or ICSI – intracytoplasmic sperm injection).
4. Embryo culture and selection.
5. Embryo transfer into the uterus.

Pros:

• Proven and widely available.
• High success rates, especially with advanced techniques like ICSI and embryo freezing.
• Can be used with donor eggs or sperm if needed.

Cons:

• Expensive and emotionally demanding.
• Requires hormone injections and invasive procedures.
• Success rates vary based on age and health conditions.

2. IVG (In Vitro Gametogenesis)

Overview:

• A developing technology that aims to create sperm and eggs from stem cells.
• Could enable individuals without viable eggs or sperm to have genetically related children.
• Not yet available for clinical use in humans, but has been demonstrated in animal models.

Potential Process (Once Available):

1. Obtain skin or blood cells from an individual.
2. Reprogram these cells into induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs).
3. Differentiate iPSCs into eggs or sperm.
4. Use IVF techniques to fertilize the artificial gametes and implant embryos into the uterus.

Potential Pros:

• Could allow same-sex couples or individuals with fertility issues (e.g., premature ovarian failure, azoospermia) to have genetically related children.
• Might extend reproductive options for older individuals.
• Could eliminate the need for egg donors.

Potential Cons:

• Ethical and safety concerns, as it involves genetic reprogramming.
• Long-term effects on offspring are unknown.
• Still experimental and not yet available for human fertility treatments.

Which is Better?

• For current infertility treatment → IVF is the only viable option.
• For future possibilities → IVG could revolutionize reproductive medicine but is still in the research phase.