in vitro

adverb, adjective

1. (of a biological process) made to occur in a laboratory vessel or other controlled experimental environment rather than within a living organism or natural setting.

noun

1. a specialized technique by which an ovum, especially a human one, is fertilized by sperm outside the body, with the resulting embryo later implanted in the uterus for gestation.

adverb, adjective

1. (of biological processes or reactions) made to occur outside the living organism in an artificial environment, such as a culture medium

noun

1. a technique enabling some women who are unable to conceive to bear children. Egg cells removed from a woman’s ovary are fertilized by sperm in vitro; some of the resulting fertilized egg cells are incubated until the blastocyst stage, which are then implanted into her uterusAbbreviation: IVF

Latin; “in a test tube, culture dish, etc.;” literally “in glass” (see vitreous).

adj.

1. In an artificial environment outside a living organism.

n.

1. Fertilization of an egg outside the body of a female by the addition of sperm, as a means of producing a zygote.

1. In an artificial environment, such as a test tube. Compare in vivo.

1. Fertilization of an egg outside the body of a female by the addition of sperm, as a means of producing a zygote.

In the laboratory; literally, “in glass” (laboratory experiments are often carried out in glass containers). In vitro conditions are distinguished from conditions that actually apply in nature. (Compare in vivo.)