Oocyte Aspiration


Following the first few births from IVF and embryo transfer, attention was focused on the process and instruments used for oocyte recovery.


About this course

  • Detailed explanations

    Introduction and explanation of the oocyte retrieval process and techniques, including key pointers on potential difficulties

  • Interactive content

    Course broken down into modules and chapters, and supplemented with text, photos, graphs, and data tables

  • Expert input

    Written by the late Professor Carl Wood, who produced the world's first IVF human egg and implanted it back into the mother in 1973

Course curriculum

  • 1
    Introduction
    • Introduction
    • References
  • 2
    Experimental & physical aspects of oocyte retrieval
    • Experimental & physical aspects of oocyte retrieval
    • References
  • 3
    Application of vacuum to a follicle
    • Application of vacuum to a follicle
  • 4
    Vacuum profiles in aspiration system
    • Vacuum profiles in aspiration system
  • 5
    Clinical aspects of oocyte retrieval
    • Clinical aspects of oocyte retrieval
    • References
  • 6
    Retrieval techniques
    • Retrieval techniques
    • References
  • 7
    Egg pick-up technique
    • Important points
    • Difficulties
  • 8
    Complications
    • Complications
    • References

Instructor

Prof. Carl Wood

The late Australian gynaecologist Carl Wood, who died at the age of 82, produced the world's first IVF human egg and implanted it back into the mother in 1973. Though the woman miscarried after three months, it was a huge medical breakthrough and paved the way for Patrick Steptoe and Robert Edwards's successful test-tube baby five years later in Britain.

Wood and his team produced Australia's first test-tube baby, Candice Reed, in 1980 by using Steptoe and Edwards's technique of collecting an egg just before natural ovulation. In 1983, they established the world's first pregnancy from a frozen embryo; the baby, Zoe, was born in April 1984 to a couple with a seven-year history of infertility.

Also in 1983 they performed the first human donor egg transplant, having perfected the technique in ewes. After giving fertility treatment to a 42-year-old woman and returning four embryos back into her they had one surplus, which, with the donor's agreement, was implanted into an infertile woman aged 38. None of the embryos implanted themselves in the 42-year-old, but the one in the other recipient did, only to miscarry at three months. They successfully implanted another donor-egg embryo shortly afterwards into a woman aged 29 who had suffered a premature menopause.

In 1986 Wood's team was responsible for the world's first IVF baby using sperm retrieval surgery, and in 1992 the world's first microinjection intrafallopian transfer IVF baby.

Patients and colleagues alike found Wood to be "the nicest man you could wish to meet". His one wish was to make life better for his patients. Charming, good-humoured, unconventional and creative, Wood had a holistic approach to gynaecology. A workaholic, he taught IVF techniques to gynaecologists from around the world. He published 400 research papers and 23 popular and technical books. He backed legalisation of abortion and supported a colleague's gender-reassignment clinic.

Wood, who never sought recognition or high office for his ideas or achievements, was appointed CBE in 1982 and was made a companion of the Order of Australia in 1995.