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What is Cytoplasmic Transfer?
Cytoplasmic transfer is a fertility procedure and a form of assisted reproductive technology. The aim of the cytoplasmic transfer procedure is to overcome deficiencies in the patient’s egg with donated cytoplasm, while keeping the patient’s genetic material intact.
How is Cytoplasmic Transfer carried out?
In cytoplasmic transfer, cytoplasm – the fluid inside the egg – is taken from a donor egg and transferred into the patient’s egg, where it is fertilized with sperm and transferred into the patient’s womb.
Who is a suitable candidate for Cytoplasmic Transfer?
Cytoplasmic transfer was developed for women with damaged mitochondria within the cytoplasm of their egg. Damaged or deficient mitochondria can lead to problems implanting the embryo in the womb and the poor development of embryos in the IVF process. Cytoplasmic transfer is not generally recommended for patients over the age of 40. Cytoplasmic transfer is often used as a next step when other IVF procedures have failed to result in a baby.
Days admitted:None. Cytoplasmic transfer, and IVF, doesn’t require an overnight stay.
Anesthesia:Generally, no anesthesia is used in cytoplasmic transfer.
Recovery:There is no recovery time associated with cytoplasmic transfer as the procedure takes place in a laboratory.
Risks:Cytoplasmic transfer doesn’t pose major risks to the health of the patient although there is debate as to the risks involved in the transfer of DNA from the donor to the patient’s egg.
Risks include:
- Small amounts of mitochondrial DNA may be transferred from the donor to the child, resulting in a possible mix of genetic material from three parents.
- The procedure is very new and no data exists on the long-term health of children born through cytoplasmic transfer.
After care:- If you experience discomfort after egg collection for the cytoplasmic procedure, use pain killing medication.
- Rest for a few minutes following egg collection.
- Tell your doctor if you are experiencing any side effects from fertility drugs.
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