What are assisted reproductive technologies (ART) ? Give its importance and which methods come under it?

Explanation

Certain special techniques commonly known as Assisted Reproductive Technologies. (ART) through that couple can have children.
(i) IVF - In Vitro Fertilization : (IVF) Fertilization outside the body followed by embryo transfer (ET) is one of such methods. In this method is popularly known as test tube baby programme.
In this, ova from the wife / donor (female) and sperms from the husband / donor (male) are collected and are induced to form zygote under simulated conditions in the laboratory The zygote or early embryos (with upto 8 blastomeres) could then be transferred into the fallopian tube.
This is also called ZIFT - Zygote Intra Fallopian Transfer
Embryos with more than 8 blastomeres is tranferred into the uterus (IUT - Intra Uterine Transfer) to complete its further development. Embryos formed by in-vivo fertilization (fusion of gametes within the female) also could be used for such transfer to assist those females who cannot conceive.
(ii) GIFT : Transfer of an ovum collected from a donor into the fallopian tube (GIFT. Gamet Intra Fallopian Transfer) of another female who cannot produce one but can provide suitable environment for fertilization and further development is another method attempted.
In this method, ovum is taken from donor and transferred into fallopian tube of a female.
(iii) Al : Another specialized procedure to form an embryo in the laboratory is called intra cytoplasmic sperm injection in which a sperm is directly injected into the ovum.
Infertility cases either due to inability of the male partner to inseminate the female or due to very low sperm counts in the ejaculates could be corrected by artificial Insemination.
In this technique the semen is collected either from the husband or a healthy donor is artificially introduced either into the vagina or into the uterus (IUI. Intra uterine insemination) of the female.
All these techniques require extremely high precision handing by specialized professionals.
Legal adoption is one of the best methods for couples looking for parenthood.