In IVF, which step comes immediately after egg retrieval?

• A. Ovarian stimulation
• B. Embryo transfer
• C. Insemination
• D. Embryo culture

Answer: (C)

Immediately after egg retrieval, fertilization occurs in the lab. In a typical IVF cycle, eggs are inseminated by combining them with prepared sperm so that fertilization can take place and embryos form. This step is followed by embryo culture, where the embryos are allowed to develop for several days, and then the embryos are transferred back to the uterus. Ovarian stimulation happens earlier to obtain multiple eggs, and embryo transfer happens later, after culture. In some cases, intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) may be used to fertilize an egg if there are sperm issues, but the essential idea is that fertilization is the immediate next step after retrieval.