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IVF Training in India: Overview

Author : Medline Academics | Published On : 04 Jun 2026

In this article, we're going to describe how in vitro fertilisation works. Let's first begin by recapping the female menstrual cycle. Here is the brain and two important parts of the brain involved in the menstrual cycle is the hypothalamus and the pituitary gland.

Due to Covid, Medline Academics, which runs the top courses for gynaecologists in the country - teaching and training programme came to a standstill. But without loss of time, we got motivated to see that one of the PAN India universities is willing to associate with us. The hybrid IVF Fellowship Training is for 12 months. Here we will be giving 120 hours of clinical postings in addition to the 5 days simulation training, exposing them with the different faculty members. Now coming to live classes, it will be conducted twice in a week and will cover the topics from basic to advanced topics in ART. During the practical training session, they can meet their faculty in person.

For students pursuing the Best IVF Fellowship in India, understanding controlled ovarian stimulation is fundamental to mastering the IVF process. The first step is controlled ovarian stimulation and this is using gonadotropin releasing hormone agonists or gonadotropin releasing hormone antagonists plus gonadotropins such as follicle stimulating hormone and then finally human chorionic gonadotropin or HCG. These three injections are used in the first step of in vitro fertilisation and their role is to essentially stimulate follicle development. So here is the hypothalamus and the pituitary gland again and here is the ovary again containing many follicles ready to develop. Normally as we have learned the hypothalamus produces gonadotropin releasing hormone at day one of the menstrual cycle. Gonadotropin releasing hormone stimulates the release of follicle stimulating hormone from the pituitary gland. Follicle stimulating hormone will travel to the ovary to stimulate follicle development.

Controlled ovarian stimulation using gonadotropin releasing hormone agonists begin at day 20 of the previous menstrual cycle the time when the corpus luteum is slowly degenerating and gonadotropin releasing hormone agonists is continued until day 10 of the new menstrual cycle. Gonadotropin releasing hormone agonists prevent spontaneous follicle rupture due to luteinizing hormone surge and promotes follicle development. At day one of the menstrual cycle gonadotropins are introduced.

Gonadotropins are there to stimulate follicular development. When ultrasound monitoring indicates that the eggs are mature human chorionic gonadotropin is injected to induce final follicle maturation and development and subsequently ovulation. This is about day 10 of the menstrual cycle.

Gonadotropin releasing hormone agonists stimulates gonadotropin releasing hormone activity. Gonadotropins mimic follicle stimulating hormone stimulating follicle development and human chorionic gonadotropin stimulates the final follicle development. Another initial drug that can be used for controlled ovarian stimulation is gonadotropin releasing hormone antagonists. Again the hypothalamus produces gonadotropin releasing hormone which stimulates the pituitary to release follicle stimulating hormone. Follicle stimulating hormone stimulates the development of some follicles from the ovaries. In this method at day one you start gonadotropins to stimulate follicular development. The careful and correct application of Gonadotrophin Releasing Hormone Agonists and Antagonists along with the use of Gonadotrophins and Human Chorionic Gonadotrophins is important to achieve a positive ovarian response. At Dr Kamini Rao Hospitals the doctors individually tailor the stimulation protocol depending on the age of the patient, ovarian reserve, hormonal profile and history of past treatments so that a higher number of follicles may be harvested while lowering risks associated with the treatment. Dr Kamini Rao Hospitals is an establishment known for its evidence-based fertility treatment and IVF Treatment in Bangalore.

At day six gonadotropin releasing hormone antagonists are introduced to prevent spontaneous follicle rupture due to the luteinizing hormone surge and to promote follicle development. When ultrasound monitoring indicates that the eggs are mature human chorionic gonadotropin is injected to induce final follicle development and ovulation at about day 10. The ova or egg is then collected about 36 to 38 hours after the human chorionic gonadotropin injection.

This brings us to step two of in vitro fertilisation which is oocyte retrieval. Here again is the lower female reproductive tract, the vagina, the uterus, the fallopian tube and the ovary. The ova or eggs are collected about 36 to 38 hours after the human chorionic gonadotropin injection.

Oocyte retrieval is performed using a long hollow needle introduced via the vagina under ultrasound guidance. Here the needle is retrieving the egg from the mature follicle. Eggs are then placed in culture media and incubated before being fertilised.

And this brings us to the third step of in vitro fertilisation which is fertilisation. And fertilisation here occurs in the laboratory. The oocyte which has been retrieved are fertilised with the male sperm collected and this is day zero.

By day one the first cell divisions take place in the laboratory. Cell division continues and by day three to five the embryos will be transferred back into the uterus. And this is step four, embryo transfer.

Here again we have the female uterus and its structures. During embryo transfer one or more embryos are transferred back into the uterus about three to five days after the oocyte has been collected. Once transferred the embryo can then implant into the inner lining of the uterus called the endometrium.

Once this occurs the final step of in vitro fertilisation which is luteal phase support takes place. And this essentially involves progesterone. Luteal phase if you remember is the phase of the menstrual cycle where progesterone is normally produced.

And this is exactly what this step involves. Progesterone is given to help support and maintain the pregnancy. The embryo as mentioned is carefully put back inside the uterine cavity where it will implant in the endometrium of the uterus.

This process is called implantation and will lead to pregnancy. And as mentioned progesterone here helps maintain, helps support the pregnancy. Let us recap now the five important steps in in vitro fertilisation.

  • Number one was controlled ovarian stimulation. And this was with gonadotropin releasing hormone agonists or gonadotropin releasing hormone antagonists plus gonadotropins plus human chorionic gonadotropin.
  • The second step is oocyte retrieval.
  • The third is fertilisation in the laboratory. Four is embryo transfer into the uterus. And five is a luteal phase support using progesterone.