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Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproduction

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Robert Geoffrey Edwards – a pioneer of IVF practice

https://doi.org/10.17749/2313-7347/ob.gyn.rep.2025.580

Abstract

Here, we discuss the historical aspects of the life and scientific work of the British scientist Robert Geoffrey Edwards, who made a significant contribution to the development of reproductive medicine and genetics. Having begun with studying mouse physiology, together with colleagues he succeeded in proposing in vitro fertilization technique, which in 1978 led to the birth of Louise Brown, the world's first "test-tube baby". In 2010, Dr. Edwards was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for the development of human in vitro fertilization.

About the Authors

S. M. Abdulkadyrov
Sechenov University
Russian Federation

Safiula M. Abdulkadyrov

8 bldg. 2, Trubetskaya Str., Moscow 119991



M. U. Karapetyan
Privolzhsky Research Medical University, Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation
Russian Federation

Mariya U. Karapetyan

10/1 Minin and Pozharsky Square, Nizhny Novgorod 603005



R. A. Tuguscheva
Privolzhsky Research Medical University, Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation
Russian Federation

Renata A. Tuguscheva

10/1 Minin and Pozharsky Square, Nizhny Novgorod 603005



T. E. Polyakova
Sechenov University
Russian Federation

Tatyana E. Polyakova, MD.

8 bldg. 2, Trubetskaya Str., Moscow 119991



A. V. Vorobev
Sechenov University
Russian Federation

Alexander V. Vorobev, MD, PhD.

8 bldg. 2, Trubetskaya Str., Moscow 119991



References

1. Edwards R.G., Steptoe P.C. A matter of life: the story of a medical breakthrough. London: Hutchinson, 1980. 188 p.

2. Slee J. RGE at 25 – personal reminiscences. Reprod Biomed Online. 2002;4 Suppl 1:1. https://doi.org/10.1016/s1472-6483(12)60001-7.

3. Edwards R.G. An astonishing journey into reproductive genetics since the 1950’s. Reprod Nutr. Dev. 2005;45(3):299–306. https://doi.org/10.1051rnd:2005022.

4. Fowler R.E., Edwards R.G. Induction of superovulation and pregnancy in mature mice by gonadotrophins. J Endocr. 1957;15(4):374–84. https://doi.org/10.1677/joe.0.0150374.

5. Edwards R.G., Gates A.H. Timing of the stages of the maturation divisions, ovulation, fertilization and the first cleavage of eggs of adult mice treated with gonadotrophins. J Endocr. 1959;18(3):292–304. https://doi.org/10.1677/joe.0.0180292.

6. Gardner R.L., Johnson M.H. Bob Edwards and the first decade of reproductive biomedicine. Online Reprod Biomed Online. 2011;22(2):106– 24. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rbmo.2010.11.010.

7. Edwards R.G. Meiosis in ovarian oocytes of adult mammals. Nature. 1962;196:446–50.

8. Edwards R.G. Maturation in vitro of human ovarian oocytes. Lancet. 1965;2(7419):926–9. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0140-6736(65)92903-x.

9. Edwards R.G., Talbert L., Israelstam D. et al. Diffusion chamber for exposing spermatozoa to human uterine secretions. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 1968;102(3):388–96. https://doi.org/10.1016/0002-9378(68)90011-2.

10. Bavister B.D. Environmental factors important for in vitro fertilization in the hamster. J Reprod Fertil. 1969;18(3):544–5. https://doi.org/10.1530/jrf.0.0180544.

11. Edwards R.G., Bavister B.D., Steptoe P.C. Early stages of fertilization in vitro of human oocytes matured in vitro. Nature. 1969;221(5181):632–5. https://doi.org/.1038/221632a0.

12. Edwards R.G., Steptoe P.C. Birth after the reimplantation of a human embryo. Lancet. 1978;312(8085):366. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0140-6736(78)92957-4.

13. Johnson M.H. Robert Edwards: the path to IVF. Reprod Biomed Online. 2011;23(2):245–62. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rbmo.2011.04.010.

14. The Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine 2010 to Robert G. Edwards for the development of in vitro fertilization. Available at: https://web.archive.org/web/20101005215712/http://nobelprize.org/nobel_prizes/medicine/laureates/2010/press.html. [Accessed: 15.09.2024].


Review

For citations:


Abdulkadyrov S.M., Karapetyan M.U., Tuguscheva R.A., Polyakova T.E., Vorobev A.V. Robert Geoffrey Edwards – a pioneer of IVF practice. Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproduction. 2025;19(1):136-141. (In Russ.) https://doi.org/10.17749/2313-7347/ob.gyn.rep.2025.580

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ISSN 2313-7347 (Print)
ISSN 2500-3194 (Online)