Discovery and application of in vitro fertilization: a revolution in infertility treatment

Procreation, understood as the production of offspring and the continuation of a species, is one of the fundamental life functions for humans, just as it is for other living organisms. For this reason, the unresolved issue of physiological reproductive disorders has been a significant problem for humanity for thousands of years, considering the social, psychological, and emotional consequences of such disorders. In the context of millennia of research into the functioning of the reproductive system, July 25, 1978, stands out as an unforgettable date in the world of science. On that day, at 11:47 PM, Louise Brown was born-the first child "conceived in a laboratory" through in vitro fertilization (IVF). This moment marked the culmination of countless efforts by many scientists; however, the success of in vitro fertilization was primarily due to the pivotal work of Patrick Steptoe and Robert Edwards. Undoubtedly, this was a milestone, regarded as one of the most significant medical breakthroughs of the 20th century. The birth of the first "test-tube baby" was the result of simultaneous research conducted in various parts of the world, including the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia. Louise Brown was dubbed the "Child of the Century," and her birth was equated in importance and significance for science with achievements such as the discovery of vaccines or penicillin.