TEST TUBE BABY

On 25th July 1978, Louise Brown was born to Leslie & John Brown, a British couple. She was the first human baby to be born by artificial insemination, a technique which brought ray of hope for millions of childless couple around the world. In India at almost same time similar feat was achieved by Dr. Mukherjee, which has gone almost unnoticed.

On the occasion we bring to you an e-mail interview with Dr Mangala Telang, a distinguished IVF specialist and the President of Indian Fertility Society

1. What is infertility disorder?

A couple who is planning a baby and cannot achieve a pregnancy in spite of unprotected intercourse for a year is considered to be subfertile and definitely should have some investigations for infertility.

2. What are its causes in male and females?

Few years back one quoted the incidence of male infertility as 40%. But recently both the partners are found to contribute equally for the causing infertility. The reason for increase in male infertility is due to the increase in stress levels, irregular work schedules, possibly pollution and chemicals and toxins in foods and environment. Sperm counts have been found to be lower and there is an increase in sexual dysfunction. Decrease in sperm counts can also be due to mumps or trauma or surgery. Working near heat or wearing very tight underclothes or trousers can also be a factor in reducing sperms. Working at a computer, carrying cell phones in trouser pockets also have been linked to reduced sperm counts. Varicose also increases heat around the testes. There are various other genetic, infective causes, which reduce sperm counts.

In the female, there are many congenital abnormalities, hormonal conditions like polycystic ovarian disease, endometriosis, infections which cause closure of the tubes like Chlamydia or tuberculosis which lead to infertility

3. How can the problem of infertility be overcome?

Today doctors can help almost 95% of cases of infertility due to advances in the science in the last 25 years. As long as the man is producing few sperms, fertilization can be achieved by the process of ICSI (Intracytoplasmic sperm injection) by injecting sperms into the egg. Even if there are no sperms in the ejaculate, they can be aspirated from the testes and used for ICSI.

In the woman, several hormonal preparations are available to make the ovaries make eggs and even if the tubes are blocked, IVF can help her achieve a pregnancy. Surrogates and donor sperms and donor oocytes have made a ‘brave new world’ of our science.

4. Tell us something about advent of concept of test tube baby in India.

Efforts were made since early seventies to fertilize an egg outside the human body. When Edwards and Steptoe actually succeeded in making Louise Brown possible, there was a flurry of activity in this field all over the world. In India in fact just around the same time  as the English experiment, Dr. Mukherjee was successful in creating’ Durga’ who is really the first Indian test tube baby. He was not given the due recognition as happens in India many times. Then Dr. Hinduja and Dr. Anandkumar at the Institute of research in reproduction had the credit of making the first Indian test tube baby. Now it is possible to get this facility in every nook and corner of India.

       5.   What is the outlook of common people towards the process of non-natural conceiving?

         IVF is now a very well accepted technique and due to the knowledge that it does not cause much discomfort to the mother and has resulted in the  birth of normal children, reassures patients and they have no hesitation in undertaking the procedure. It is an expensive procedure and many people cannot afford it. It is almost Rs. One lakh per attempt and the success rate is only about 40%. Unfortunately insurance companies and Government do not give any help in the form of reimbursement for this procedure. It is time there is a rethink on this aspect and the misery of infertile couples should be recognized as no less a health problem than any other!

5        What are its benefits and side effects?

It can help in male infertility when the sperm count is very low or even if there are no sperms in the ejaculate but there is sperm production in the testes.

Women who have tubal problems, ovulatory problems and sometimes unexplained infertility can be helped by this technique.

This has become a simple procedure now, which does not even need hospital stay and has hardly any side effects.

    

6. There have been movies and plays on surrogate mother. Is there any movie in any other language on subject of artificial insemination?

        There are many movies and even TV serials which refer to artificial insemination openly in English. I cannot remember a movie about surrogate motherhood in English but I am sure there must be some.

7. Why you took up the specialization in IVF?

It is the most fascinating and rewarding science. I feel so satisfied to have been able to help so many infertile couples and giving them their bundles of joy!

8. In every profession, one encounters humorous       situations. Please share any one of them.

All the couples who come for IVF have been through a lot of treatment and stress. There is hardly any humour around me!

9. If not into present profession where else would you have been?

       Since childhood I only wanted to be a doctor. But I would enjoy being a chef!

10. If you were to enter into kitchen now amidst your busy schedule, what dish you would have loved to cook?

      I love cooking and have made a special air conditioned kitchen for myself next to my     workroom and computer and TV. So I can sit with family and cook while I watch the TV and work on my computer.

                 My special favourite is lasagna.