Level 1: Definition and history of in vitro fertilization IVF refers to the technology of cultivating human fertilized eggs into embryos outside the body, and then transplanting the embryos into women to develop into babies. This technique was first proposed by British biologist Edward Huston in the 1950s and was first successfully implemented in 1978. Since then, in vitro fertilization technology has been widely used and has become an important assisted reproductive technology. Level 2: Indications and contraindications for in vitro fertilization. In vitro fertilization is suitable for a variety of infertility diseases, such as fallopian tube obstruction and endometriosis.