Kirtly Parker Jones, M.D.

Dr. Parker Jones joined the University of Utah in 1983, working in the in-vitro fertilization program. She also teaches reproductive medicine to medical students and physicians.

Name of Center: Utah Center for Reproductive Medicine – University of Utah
Main Location: 675 Arapeen Way, Suite 205
Salt Lake City, Utah 84108-1237

Webpage: utahfertilitycenter.com
Answers Email: Yes
Online Appointment Scheduling:
Accepting New Patients: Yes
Phone Number: 801-581-3834

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Fertilized Egg

While it was initially reserved for patients with blocked, damaged, or absent fallopian tubes (tubal factor infertility), IVF is now also used to overcome infertility caused by endometriosis, male factor issues, diminished egg quality, ovulatory problems, or other unexplained reasons.

Dr. Russell Foulk

Russell A. Foulk, M.D. Idaho Reproductive Endocrinologist

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Reputable IVF clinics will usually provide a synopsis of their pregnancy success rates and their data are submitted to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) each year. However, the CDC data is usually “dated” by two years. Most highly successful IVF clinics also submit their data to the Society of Assisted Reproductive Technology (SART) which is usually “dated” by only one year. Our infertility clinic success rates are reported regularly to the CDC and SART and are available on our Web site (IVF success rates.)

“In vitro” literally translated means “fertilization outside of the body” which is where fertilization occurs in an IVF cycle. Eggs are retrieved from the ovarian follicles and combined with sperm in a Petri dish.

IVF consists of many stages and is performed by our highly trained team of professionals including infertility specialists, embryologists, nurses, and associated staff members. Our Salt Lake City Utah IVF clinic team has extensive experience performing IVF and its associated procedures such as intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), assisted hatching, preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD), egg freezing, and others.

The first step of the IVF process is ovarian stimulation with injectable follicle stimulating hormone (FSH). FSH stimulates the ovaries to develop numerous follicles, each of which usually contains an egg. This process occurs naturally in each ovulatory cycle when the pituitary, under the influence of the hypothalamus, releases FSH to stimulate egg recruitment.

In an IVF cycle, ovulation induction is initiated using standard treatment protocols and dosages are adjusted based upon each patient’s individual response. IVF patients are carefully monitored at our IVF clinic using estradiol hormone levels, vaginal probe ultrasound, and physical examination. FSH should only be administered by a fertility specialist thoroughly trained, and experienced in its use to avoid potential serious side effects.

As healthy follicles mature they produce estrogen, and along with progesterone, these hormones cause the endometrium to thicken and become more vascular. This development is necessary to support a developing embryo.

IVF patients receive either a GnRH agonist such as leuprolide acetate (such as Lupron®) or a GnRH antagonist (such as Antagon® [Ganirelix acetate] or Cetrotide® [Cetrorelix acetate]) to control ovulation. These products can a block the production or release of hormones, such as FSH and LH. Ovulation cannot occur while a patient is receiving proper doses of one of these drugs. Otherwise, ovulation might occur before the eggs can be retrieved resulting in the “loss” of the ovarian stimulation cycle for IVF.

Once the eggs are mature, an injection of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) is administered and egg retrieval is scheduled at our IVF clinic. In a natural cycle, ovulation is stimulated by a surge of luteinizing hormone (LH). Ovulation is triggered with hCG in the same manner as LH. We discuss hCG and LH products in the fertility drugs section.

Egg retrieval is performed at our Utah IVF clinic under light sedation using ultrasound guided transvaginal egg retrieval. A small “needle” is passed through the back of the vagina and into the follicle on the ovary. The egg is gently “suctioned” and retrieved in its follicular fluid. Once retrieved the “solution” is immediately passed to the embryologist who identifies and separates the eggs and places them in specially prepared media.

The remaining “follicular structure” is known as the corpus luteum. The corpus luteum produces progesterone to help complete endometrial development. After the embryo implants in the endometrium, the placenta also produces progesterone. IVF patients receive progesterone medication to offset the effects of the GnRH agonist or the GnRH antagonist.

The male usually provides sperm by masturbation and it is washed and specially prepared for exposure to the eggs. In cases where there is a male infertility component, procedures such as intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) are performed at this point. In ICSI, a single sperm is injected directly into the egg. If there are no sperm in the ejaculate, they can often be taken directly from the testicles or the reproductive tract. This is discussed in detail in the ICSI and male infertility sections.

After fertilization, the embryos are placed in an incubator which tightly controls temperature, atmosphere, pH, and other environmental factors. The embryos remain in the incubators at our IVF clinic until mature, usually three to five days. Five day embryos have usually developed to the blastocyst stage, which is discussed on a separate Web page.

Once the embryos mature, the embryo transfer is scheduled at our Salt Lake City Utah IVF clinic. This is a painless procedure usually requiring less than ten minutes and is similar to IUI. The embryo is gently placed directly into the uterus. Patients are advised when to return for a pregnancy test (usually two weeks later).

Dr. Gregory Rosen practices Reproductive Endocrinology & Infertility and Obstetrics & Gynecology

Dr. Rosen is board certified in Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, having completed his fellowship at USC. He is recognized for his expertise in microsurgical and laparoscopic surgical techniques and has conducted research, published and lectured throughout the nation on various aspects of infertility and reproductive surgery.

Reproductive Partners Medical Group
Phone: 877-273-7763

Los Angeles / Beverly Hills
240 S. La Cienega Boulevard, Suite # 350
Beverly Hills, CA 90211
(310) 855-2229

Los Angeles / South Bay
510 N. Prospect Ave., Ste. #202
Redondo Beach, CA 90277
(310) 318-3010

Orange County
13950 Milton Ave Suite 100
Westminster, CA 92683-2900
714-702-3000

San Diego / La Jolla
ucsandiegofertility.com
9850 Genesee Ave. Ste. #800
La Jolla, CA 92037
(858) 552-9177

San Luis Obispo
21 Santa Rosa St. 2nd Floor
San Luis Obispo, CA 93405
805-543-2228