In vitro fertilization

Definition of in vitro fertilization

in vitro fertilization

(in VEE-troh FER-tih-lih-ZAY-shun)
A procedure in which eggs are removed from a woman’s ovary and combined with sperm outside the body to form embryos. The embryos are grown in the laboratory for several days and then either placed in a woman’s uterus or cryopreserved (frozen) for future use. Also called IVF.

Source: NCI Dictionary of Cancer Terms