UNIZIK; IN-VITRO FERTILIZATION: A Scientific Solution To Barrenness & Childlessness – Prof. Ikechebelu

IN-VITRO fertilization (IVF) which is a component of the Assisted Reproductive Technology has been described and recommended as a scientific reproductive method aimed at ending barrenness and childlessness in most homes.

These were the assertions of the Nnamdi Azikiwe University Director of Academic Planning and President Life Specialist International Hospital, Prof. Joseph Ikechebelu during an exclusive interview with UNIZIK FM Correspondent Iyke Nwokedi.

According to Prof. Ikechebelu, he described IN-VITRO Fertilization (IVF) as a method of assisting humans to achieve reproduction which involves manipulation of the woman’s eggs and the man’s sperm to have fertilization in order to achieve embryo development and reproduction as against natural reproduction already in place and planned by God.

The Professor of Obstetrics and Gynaecology stated that Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) denotes achieving fertilization of the egg by the sperm outside the body as against normal fertilization of the egg inside the body which takes place in the fallopian tube and the outcome an embryo which grows in the womb. Prof. Ikechebelu posited that for IVF, the harvested human egg and sperm which is brought outside under special conditions comes together to achieve fertilization and as the embryo is formed, it is taken into the woman’s body.

The avid scholar also stated that a formed embryo is kept outside the body for a maximum of 6 days and can be transferred within a period of 2 to 6 days of the embryonic formation into the womb for continuous development. He also said that the womb is a necessary vehicle for carrying the baby.