Reproductive medicine

Throughout their treatment, couples will need guidance on the different stages necessary for the formation of an embryo that can develop in the woman's uterus and ultimately lead to the birth of a child.

Each stage of the treatment mirrors the normal stages of human reproduction, adding the necessary support to overcome the existing obstacle within the couple:

1. Natural female hormonal stimulation
2. Ovulation
3. Estrogen secretion by the ovary
4. Sperm migration in the genital tract
5. Formation of an embryo in the fallopian tube
6. Arrival of the embryo in the uterus
7. Implantation of the embryo in the uterus

For more information on the principles of reproduction, consult the website of the French Biomedicine Agency.

Among couples currently forming in France, 1 in 6 experiences difficulties conceiving. The reproductive medicine service aims to provide care for these couples. After an assessment, the most appropriate treatment for your situation can be offered.

Gynecologists, biologists, midwives, laboratory technicians, and nursing assistants provide medical, administrative, and psychological support to infertile couples.

Biologists also provide embryo freezing, the reception of donated embryos for infertile couples, and egg donation.

Depending on the findings during your assessment and follow-up, your doctor may suggest the following:

• ovulation stimulation,
• intrauterine insemination,
• In-Vitro Fertilization (IVF),
• In-vitro fertilization with intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI),
• a sperm donation,
• egg donation [See Learn more > “Donating your eggs” above],
• an embryo reception.

What is an oocyte?

The oocyte is the female reproductive cell (the male reproductive cell being the sperm). Each ovary contains several thousand oocytes present from birth, the number of which gradually decreases throughout life. From puberty onwards, each month, about ten oocytes develop, culminating in the ovulation of a single one, which can then be fertilized by a sperm.

Who should I give it to?

Eggs are donated to couples who cannot have children:

• either because the woman does not naturally produce oocytes,
• either because her oocytes have abnormalities,
• either because, in order to be treated for a serious illness, she underwent treatment that destroyed her oocytes,
• either because the couple risks transmitting a serious genetic disease to the child.

Who can donate*?

• adult woman
• aged under 37
• healthy

*For women who have not had children, the possibility of donation is mentioned in the law passed in July 2011 and is awaiting the implementing decree.

The different stages of the donation process:

1. To make an appointment, please call: 02 31 27 20 59
2. meeting with a doctor
3. meeting with a psychologist
4. ovarian stimulation
5. egg retrieval

The number of IVF procedures performed per year is 500.

For more information on In-Vitro Fertilization, see our practical guide to undergoing IVF below.

The reproductive medicine and biology center allows patients to undergo fertility preservation. This preservation can be carried out in two contexts:

• On medical advice : in the presence of certain pathologies or treatments that may temporarily or permanently impair fertility,
• Without medical indication : self-preservation of gametes in patients aged 29 to 37 years, also called societal preservation.

Within our center, different preservation methods are offered.

• Oocyte cryopreservation will be performed after hormonal stimulation and oocyte retrieval in the operating room.
• Embryo cryopreservation will be performed after hormonal stimulation, oocyte retrieval and after in vitro fertilization.
• Ovarian cortex cryopreservation is a surgical technique involving the removal of ovarian cortex.
• In vitro maturation can be carried out in certain specific cases

As part of fertility preservation, the initial assessment includes blood tests and a pelvic ultrasound. Oocyte cryopreservation is the technique used. The oocytes can be reused by the patient if she does not conceive spontaneously or if other assisted reproductive technologies (ART) fail. This technique offers patients added security but cannot guarantee a future pregnancy.

In the context of a medical indication, the choice of technique will depend on the patient's intrinsic parameters, the pathology indicating preservation, the planned treatment, and the available timeframe. The benefit of medical fertility preservation is to offer an additional option to patients desiring pregnancy after their condition has been treated. The reuse of oocytes, embryos (corresponding to fertility preservation for the couple and reusable only within the couple), or ovarian cortex will be considered if a spontaneous pregnancy does not occur or after other assisted reproductive technologies (ART) have failed.

For more information on the different fertility preservation methods, you can visit the following website