Simplifying assisted conception techniques to make them universally available--a view from India.

In-vitro fertilization and related assisted conception techniques are beyond the reach of most infertile couples in India because they are so expensive. Recent innovations such as the use of the natural cycle, the techniques of gamete intra-Fallopian transfer, intravaginal culture and transcervical oocyte--sperm transfer, vaginal ultrasound-guided oocyte retrieval and the availability of ready-to-use culture medium have helped to simplify assisted conception. Research today should focus on further developing these techniques so that better pregnancy rates can be achieved with them. These simplified inexpensive assisted conception techniques can then be adapted for conditions in the developing world, so that infertile patients the world over can benefit from them.