About Us

The Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) Laboratory at Yazd Reproductive Sciences Institute provides cutting-edge treatments to help infertile couples achieve parenthood. According to the World Health Organization, 10–15% of couples worldwide struggle with infertility, including an estimated 2–3 million couples in Iran.

Traditional approaches—such as surgery to correct reproductive system defects, fertility drugs to stimulate ovulation, and transferring washed and motile sperm to the uterus aka. intrauterine insemination (IUI)—remain effective for some couples. However, more advanced methods like in vitro fertilization (IVF) and intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) have proven essential for many others.

The ART Laboratory at our institute offers a full range of treatments, including ICSI, ZIFT, IVF, and IUI. The laboratory is divided into two main sections—embryology and andrology—and is equipped with world-class technology such as high-resolution microscopes, the PolScope IMSI system, and continuous embryo imaging with time-lapse technology.

In the embryology section, eggs retrieved from the patient’s ovary are prepared for advanced techniques like IVF and ICSI. Treatment plans are tailored for each couple in collaboration with the medical team. Alongside clinical services, the laboratory also supports research and academic training, with PhD and master’s students actively engaged in research projects.

Activities

The ART Laboratory performs a wide range of diagnostic and therapeutic procedures, including:

Fertilization & Embryo Procedures

    • Intrauterine insemination (IUI)
    • In vitro fertilization (IVF)
    • Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI)
    • In vitro maturation of human eggs (IVM)
    • Laser-assisted hatching
    • Cleavage embryo selection using the time-lapse system
    • Separation of embryo fragments
    • Freezing and thawing of embryos, sperm, and tissues (including Micro-TESE samples)

Egg & Sperm Analysis

    • Egg retrieval and denudation
    • Evaluation of meiosis II and zona pellucida using the PolScope system
    • High-resolution sperm analysis with IMSI
    • Semen analysis and preparation using gradient and swim-up methods
    • Washing and preparation of TESE, PESA, electroejaculate, and retrograde samples for ICSI

Advanced Culture & Research Methods

    • Co-cultivation of immature eggs with granulosa cells
    • Enrichment of IVM medium with growth and differentiation factors