Fertility Glossary

IVF (in vitro fertilisation)

Eggs are collected and fertilised in a laboratory, then an embryo is transferred to the uterus.

IVF & IUI

IVF involves ovarian stimulation, egg retrieval under sedation, fertilisation in the laboratory conventionally or by ICSI, several days of embryo culture, and transfer of an embryo. Suitable surplus embryos may be frozen for later use. Age at egg retrieval is the strongest single predictor of outcome.

Also known as: in vitro fertilization, test tube baby, IVF cycle

Related Canada guides

Sources

Canadian Fertility and Andrology Society (CFAS)
Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada (SOGC) patient information

Last reviewed: September 9, 2026. Written by the Antega Editorial Team. General information only — always follow the advice of your own clinic, doctor or pharmacist.

Related terms

ICSI

A single sperm is injected directly into an egg during IVF.

Blastocyst

An embryo that has developed for about five or six days after fertilisation.

Single embryo transfer

Transferring one embryo at a time to avoid twin pregnancy.

Egg retrieval

The procedure that collects eggs from the ovaries with an ultrasound-guided needle.

Embryo transfer

Placing an embryo into the uterus through a fine catheter.

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