What is defined as assisted reproductive technology (ART)?

Assisted reproductive technology (ART) refers to a range of medical techniques that are specifically designed to help couples achieve pregnancy when they are facing infertility challenges. This includes various procedures that manipulate both eggs and sperm to facilitate conception. Techniques under ART might involve in vitro fertilization (IVF), where eggs and sperm are combined outside the body before being implanted in the uterus, as well as the use of donor eggs or sperm, and intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI).

In contrast, natural conception methods do not involve any medical technology or interventions and rely solely on the natural reproductive process. Medications intended to enhance fertility are a component of infertility treatment but do not encompass the full definition of ART, as they alone do not involve the advanced medical techniques that define this category. Embryo freezing methods are a specific technique used within ART to preserve embryos for future use, but they do not cover the broader spectrum of assisted reproductive technologies.

Thus, defining ART as medical techniques to help couples conceive captures all the various procedures encompassed in this field, making it the correct answer.