Can a woman undergo IVF if she has blocked or damaged fallopian tubes?
Yes. The eggs are retrieved directly from the ovaries, therefore the fallopian tubes are completely bypassed. Then the fertilized embryos are transferred directly into the uterus via the vagina. How does fertilization occur? IVF makes things very simple for the sperm. It eliminates the hostile environment of the vagina. This is perfect when there are issues of sperm count or function. IVF also eliminates the worry of a lack of cervical secretions needed for ease of transport and capacitation of the sperm. The lab unites sperm and egg after partial capacitation and grows them for 3-5 days to a blastocyst stage of development in preparation for transfer. What about antibody, allergic, or immune responses to the embryo? Over time, after repeat exposure, the woman may build antibodies to their partners sperm. Sometimes men even develop antibodies to their own sperm. IVF lowers chances of attack on the sperm by avoiding the female reproductive tract. Our embryos do not have an immunological
