In-vitro fertilization in Western Australia. A viable service programme.

A service programme of in-vitro fertilization ( IVF ) and embryo transfer (ET) has been established in a small unit in Western Australia after a successful pilot study which was undertaken in 1981. The key features of the programme include simplified monitoring of the follicular phase of stimulated cycles; oocyte retrieval and ET are both undertaken during routine daytime work schedules. The results of the first eight months of the programme are presented, during which 13 further pregnancies were generated and 10 healthy infants were delivered (seven boys and three girls). In the last session in which 49 patients took part a mean of 2.3 mature preovulatory oocytes were collected by means of a double-lumen aspiration/flushing needle from 98% of 48 patients who reached the laparoscopy stage. Ninety-four per cent of 48 patients proceeded to embryo transfer by means of a double-catheter technique; the pregnancy rate was 20.8% per laparoscopy or 22.7% per embryo transfer.