As a public health priority assisted reproductive technologies (ARTs) are low on the epidemiological scale in India. Of the estimated 8-10% infertility in Indian women 98% have secondary sterility-they have been pregnant at least once before but are unable to conceive again. Their problems are due to untreated disease, poor health care practices or malnutrition. Most of these can be avoided through effective antenatal and postnatal care, and through good primary health care with basic facilities to diagnose and treat infertility. All this can be done without distorting public health priorities.