From the birth of in vitro fertilization technology to today, human assisted reproductive technology has made great progress. In vitro fertilization technology has become increasingly mature in recent years.
In fact, in recent years, the United States and Thailand have become the most popular choices for international customers for IVF. So, what are the advantages and disadvantages of American IVF and Thai IVF? How should we choose if we are determined to go abroad for IVF?
Comparison of various aspects of IVF in Thailand and IVF in the United States
USA:
American Chromosome Screening-NGS Technology
In most reproductive centers in the United States, FISH technology has been eliminated many years ago. Taking the Oregon Reproductive Medicine Center (ORM) as an example, it will use the most advanced NGS technology to conduct comprehensive screening of all 23 pairs of chromosomes to ensure the greatest degree of transplantation. Chromosomal health of the embryo. American PGD technology is more comprehensive in screening for chromosomal abnormalities and 125 genetic diseases.
The hospital has an independent embryology laboratory. Over the past 26 years, it has always regarded embryology research as its unshirkable responsibility. It has used superb medical technology and cutting-edge medical equipment to successfully conceive tens of thousands of people around the world.
Thailand:
Thailand Chromosome Screening-FISH Technology
It mainly screens 3 pairs of autosomes among the 23 pairs of chromosomes, chromosomes 13, 18 and 21, and a pair of sex chromosomes X & Y. The remaining chromosomes cannot be screened for health (the human body has a total of 22 pairs of autosomes and 1 pair of sex chromosomes, that is, 23 pairs of 46 chromosomes).
Thailand's PGD technology is not comprehensive in screening for chromosomal abnormalities and family genetic diseases, and can only perform more than ten common types; hospital equipment is only close to world-class standards. For example, egg freezing cannot be stored for a long time, and can only be stored for 10 years at most. More than a year.
USA:
All fertilized eggs in the United States must be cultured to the blastocyst stage, which is the fifth and sixth days (D5, D6).
99% of fertilized eggs can develop to the D3 morula stage, but only about 50% of them can continue to develop into blastocysts. The development from D3 to D5 is a milestone stage. This growth process is very complicated, and embryos that have not grown to this stage are almost all embryos with chromosomal (genetic) abnormalities. If we transplant these embryos, they will not implant, or even if they implant, they will miscarry.
Only in a laboratory with good conditions and experienced embryologists constantly adjusting the culture medium, the embryo absorbs a large amount of nutrients and consumes a huge amount of energy before it can develop into a blastocyst. In other words, only embryos with development potential can reach D5 or D6 tenaciously, while embryos that stop developing halfway have been naturally eliminated.
Potential risks of biopsiing D3 embryos
The D3 embryo has only 6-8 cells. According to the normal physiological conditions of the human body, the embryo at this stage should exist in the fallopian tube and has not yet reached the uterine cavity. And there are only 6-8 cells, which have not reached the advanced stage. Cell sectioning at this stage will cause certain damage to the embryo.
Research shows:
(1) The embryo is very fragile. If we biopsy the embryo at D3, when there are only 6-8 cells at this time, taking 1-2 cells for biopsy will have an impact on the potential or vitality of the entire embryo.
(2) There will be some kind of connection between the cells on day D3. Taking out 1-2 cells at this time will affect some kind of connection between the cells, and at the same time create a big hole in the embryo, which will cause the loss of nutrients in the embryo.
Thailand:
The Thai Fertility Clinic will culture the embryos until the third day (D3) or the fifth day (D5) for transplantation.
Due to technical limitations, the clinic does not strictly require that all embryos be cultured to D5. The specific culture conditions for D5 depend on the number of fertilized eggs and the development status of D3 embryos. Some clinics will directly recommend transplanting D3 embryos because they are worried about the failure of subsequent D5 culture.
At present, in Thailand, the common situation is to culture the fertilized eggs to D3 and then transplant them. The main reason is that the laboratory technical conditions are not up to par, and the survival rate of blastocysts is very low. If there is no blastocyst transplantation on the 5th or 6th day, it will aggravate the occurrence of medical disputes. Therefore, most hospitals recommend transplantation as soon as possible. As for success, it requires a certain amount of luck.
Are expectant parents who are in good health sure to give birth to healthy babies? In fact, this is not the case, because every healthy individual may be a carrier of a recessive gene for some or even multiple genetic diseases. If the match is improper, the offspring will have a certain chance of developing the disease.
USA:
Basically, Counsyl genetic testing will be provided before in vitro fertilization. This test can screen whether expectant parents carry recessive genes for more than 100 very rare genetic diseases.
Thailand:
Failure to test expectant parents for recessive genes for genetic diseases before in vitro fertilization may lead to a certain chance of the disease in future fetuses.
USA:
In the United States, a specialist is responsible for everything from pre-test tube physical examination, egg stimulation, egg retrieval, egg cultivation, PGD screening, blastocyst transfer to successful pregnancy. During the treatment process, an exclusive treatment plan will be formulated and During the treatment process, adjustments are made according to the patient's own condition; in terms of the use of ovulation-stimulating drugs, experts will also give the most scientific ovulation-stimulating plan based on the patient's own condition, striving to minimize the harm of drugs to the body.
Thailand:
The work flow of professional hospitals in Thailand is like an assembly line (similar to the work model in China). Each position seems to have a clear division of labor, but it is impossible for every doctor to fully understand the patient's physical condition, such as: taking ovulation induction drugs Doctors, in order to enable egg retrieval doctors to obtain enough eggs, will use a lot of drugs. However, excessive use of ovulation induction drugs will cause huge harm to women's bodies.
USA:
Children born in the United States enjoy American citizenship and enjoy the benefits of American citizens; when children reach the age of 21, they can apply for green cards for their parents, which is one of the best ways for the whole family to immigrate to the United States. In addition, the United States also provides services to couples who need third-party assisted reproduction. , provide legal protection for people undergoing in vitro fertilization surgery.
Thailand:
Related services lack legal support.
USA:
The United States has a superior social environment, high living standards, and good overall public security.
Thailand:
Thailand's political situation is turbulent, its social environment is unstable, and various street protests have made it difficult for Thailand, the "Land of Smiles," to smile and face complex social problems. If there is a parade during medical treatment, it will not only be difficult to ensure safety, but it will also cause inconvenience when returning home.
In summary, IVF in the United States and Thailand each has its own advantages.