In what treatment for infertility are eggs retrieved from the ovaries, fertilized in a lab, and placed into the uterus?

In vitro fertilization (IVF) is the correct answer because it precisely describes the process where eggs are retrieved from the ovaries, fertilized outside the body in a laboratory setting, and then the resulting embryos are transferred into the uterus. This procedure is specifically designed to assist couples facing infertility issues and is one of the most widely recognized and used reproductive technologies.

The process involves several steps, including ovarian stimulation to produce multiple eggs, egg retrieval, fertilization of the eggs using sperm, and monitoring embryo development before finally transferring the healthiest embryos into the uterus. This method allows for greater control over fertilization and increases the chances of successful implantation compared to other infertility treatments.

The other options refer to different techniques; for instance, gamete intrafallopian transfer involves placing both eggs and sperm directly into the fallopian tubes, while intracytoplasmic sperm injection is a specialized procedure typically used in conjunction with IVF that directly injects a single sperm into an egg. Artificial insemination, on the other hand, involves placing sperm directly into a woman's reproductive system without retrieving and fertilizing the eggs outside the body. Each method has its own specific applications and methods, making in vitro fertilization distinct for its lab-fertilization element.