The Facility

The globally recognized Colombian Center for Fertility and Sterility (CECOLFES) offers couples the opportunity to identify and solve their trouble in having children.

We offer top quality services in Reproductive Biomedicine and Technology, such as artificial insemination (IUI), In-Vitro Fertilization (IVF), Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI) and ultimately, Pick-up Icsi (P.ICSI) & Intracytoplasmatic Morphological Selected Sperm-Injection (IMSI) in cases of extreme deficient sperm, Tubal Transfer of Microinjected Oocytes (TTOMI),  pre-implantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) and gender selection (family balancing). 

 
Our vast experience and scientific efforts position us as leaders in assisted reproduction. We were the first ones in Colombia and Latin America to have a healthy  IVF baby back in 1985 and now again with In-Vitro Maturation of Oocytes (IVM)  a technique that  does not need any kind of medication, used mostly in cases of polycystic ovaries (PCO, PCOS) and that can be extended to other infertility causes too.

As pioneers once again here and in Latin America we are working hard  with very good results in what we’ve called:  IVF LITE ( IVM, Natural cycle & IVF, Natural cycle & IVM, Mild IVF, and Mild TTOMI) friendly kinds of fertility treatments that  require minimum dosis of medications and incorporate Hyperbaric Oxygenation (HBO).

Our latest Asisted Reproduction Procedure is called  INVO PROCESS it's a simple, effective, low-cost technology  based on an innovative device called the INVOcell, that consists of promoting the initial stages of the embryo, after oocyte fertilization, by incubation in the INVOcell device placed inside the mother’s vaginal cavity.

Your gametes and embyos won't be exposed to an artificial incubator  instead your vagina will be the incubator, so if INVO is viable in your case and you agree, you'll carry your own biological material with you during  3 days after egg retrieval until the day of embryo transfer. The vaginal cavity replaces the complex in-vitro fertilization laboratory.  This device counts with  EC certification. 

We also have sperm and oocyte cryobanks with various phenotypes in case gamete donation is needed. We are working oocyte cryopreservation under  the latest  vitrification technique which offers excellent survival rates not only for egg donation but for surplus oocytes from IVF as well.

Our biomedical parameters and physical infrastructure offer technological top quality with continuos support of a team whose professional and human aspects result in satisfaction for our customers.

CECOLFES was founded on 1978, and is directed by Dr. Elkin Lucena, M.D

Graduate and undergraduate students have the opportunity to receive their training with us. These students are supported by our highly qualified staff.  We also train doctors and technicians from abroad.
The following Colombian Universities are currently linked to our programs: Universidad de Cartagena, Universidad San Martin and FUCS - Universidad del Rosario.

Basic Principles

Treating a couple with infertiliy isssues requires an integral focus on both. We consider and combine gynaecology, andrology, biology, endocrinology, immunology, urology, genetic and psychological  aspects. Whatever is needed to cover the couple and their case. Diagnostic and Surgical sophisticated techniques are also available.

Doctor- Patient relationship is essential to us.  It is inexcusable to give false hopes, as well as to consider it a lost case without having done a complete study. The Doctor should understand the emotional factors involved, and the couple should understand the basics of reproduction physiology, the reason of each study, the interpretation of results, therapeutic possibilities of the procedures, different options, their prognosis, timing  for the entire evaluation and/or procedures-treatments, and the specific economic matters.


Achievements

January 10, 1985 the first " In-Vitro" baby was born in Latin-America, DIANA CAROLINA MENDEZ.  Bogotá-Colombia.
October 29, 1986. VIRGINIA CIANCINI was born.  She is the first frozen embryo birth of  Colombia and Latin America.
April 28, 1995. MICHAEL ANGELO ESPAÑOL was born,  being the first Hemophilia- A free,  baby boy  in the world thanks to PGD.
May, 1999. Second live birth of a baby boy free of haemophylia.                
2003.  First  healthy baby girl born in Colombia thanks to TTOMI.
2004. First Twins born free of  DF-508 gene for Cystic Fibrosis from PGD.
2005. - First birth in Latin America of a healthy baby from a vitrified oocyte.                                                     - First Latin American Human Embyonic Stem Cell Line established.                                - First birth in Colombia of a healthy baby from  IVM.
2006. First baby born in Colombia free of  Fragil-X syndrome thanks to PGD.
March 2008.  182 healthy babies born from vitrified oocytes.

PHOTOS

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  Colombian Center for Fertility

About Bogota, Colombia

Bogotá—officially named Bogotá, D.C. (D.C. for "Distrito Capital", which means "Capital District"), formerly called Santa Fe de Bogotá, is the capital city of Colombia, as well as the most populous city in the country, with 7,033,914 inhabitants (2007). Bogotá and its metropolitan area, which includes municipalities such as Chía, Cota, Soacha, Cajicá and La Calera, had an estimated population of 8,244,980 as of 2007. Bogotá's altitude makes it the third-highest major city in the world after La Paz and Quito. In terms of land area, the city of Bogotá is the largest in Colombia.

There are many parks, many with facilities for concerts, plays, movies, storytellers and other activities.

 "Simón Bolívar Metropolitan Park" is a large park regularly used to stage free concerts (such as the annual Rock al Parque, a festival in which new and popular Latin rock bands play free of charge). Kites are flown in the park.

The public Parque Nacional (National Park)has many trees and green spaces, ponds, games for children, many foot and bicycle paths, and venues for entertainment such as public screenings of movies and concerts and events organized by the Council of Bogotá. It is located between two main streets, the Circunvalar Avenue and the 7th Avenue.

Simón Bolívar Metropolitan Park.

Simón Bolívar Metropolitan Park.

The Bogotá Botanical Garden (Jardín Botánico de Bogotá).

"Parque de la 93" is located between 93rd and 93Ath street, and 12th and 13th avenue, and has day-time leisure activities and nightlife. Several of the top restaurants and bars in the city are in this park.

There are restaurants and bars in the vicinity of a T-shaped pedestrian strip dubbed "La T" (The T) at the corner of 82nd street and Cra.12. More recently, restaurant activity has begun in the "Zona G" (Gourmet Zone) in and around 67th and 70th Streets and other locations including Usaquen in the north-east and La Macarena (downtown).

Mundo Aventura is an amusement park, with an entry charge and charges for the different attractions. It has rides for adults and children, a petting zoo, and the "cerdodromo", where pigs race.

Santamaría Bullring and a planetarium.

Santamaría Bullring and a planetarium.

"Salitre Mágico" is another amusement park with rides and attractions. The park is near the well-known Simón Bolívar park, where concerts are held throughout the year.

Parque del Chicó has trees, gardens, artificial creeks and ponds, and a colonial style house converted into a museum.

To the north Parque Jaime Duque has rides, a giant map of Colombia, popular exhibits, a zoo, and a big hand holding the world symbolizing God. There is a reproduction of the Taj Mahal in the park with a collection of reproductions of famous paintings. The park is also used for large concerts, mainly electronic music ones.

Maloka is an interactive museum of sciences.

Source: Wikipedia

Colombia Travel Tips