In-vitro fertilisation (IVF) success rates may soon improve, thanks to the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) in fertility clinics. With infertility affecting one in six couples, and around 52,500 individuals undergoing IVF in 2022, many are seeking better chances for a successful pregnancy. However, despite these high numbers, IVF remains an expensive process with no guarantees, often requiring multiple attempts before achieving a successful birth.
Now, a growing number of clinics worldwide are turning to AI technology to enhance the IVF process. This innovative approach is gradually showing promise, particularly in assisting with the selection of the healthiest sperm, eggs, and embryos.
At the Avenues Clinic in North London, which has AI integrated into its IVF procedures, Dr. Jyoti Taneja, the medical director, demonstrates how AI software helps identify the most viable sperm and embryos. During an examination of a sperm sample, the AI marks the highest-quality sperm with a green circle and labels them with letters ‘A,’ ‘B,’ or ‘C’. This allows embryologists to make more informed decisions, saving valuable time and improving the odds of successful fertilisation and implantation.
Dr. Taneja believes AI’s involvement can lead to healthier outcomes by reducing the risk of miscarriage and genetic abnormalities, which are often seen in unsuccessful IVF attempts. One patient, Laura Farrell, who transferred embryos from another clinic to Avenues, praised the AI software for helping select the most viable embryo. Farrell is now nine-and-a-half weeks pregnant and considers the use of AI “fantastic,” noting its potential to help women make more informed decisions when choosing IVF clinics.
However, Farrell also highlighted the broader challenges facing IVF access, particularly the high costs and policies that prevent certain groups—such as single women—from receiving NHS-funded treatment, despite a confirmed infertility diagnosis. She emphasised the inequalities in healthcare access and argued that while AI may improve IVF success, the larger issue lies in ensuring all women, regardless of marital status, can access fertility treatments.
Current IVF success rates remain variable, especially based on age. In 2022, women under 34 had a 33% chance of a successful IVF birth using their own eggs, but the success rate drops dramatically to just 5% for women between the ages of 43 and 44. While it’s still early to measure AI’s long-term impact on IVF outcomes, experts like consultant Ali Al Chami from Avenues Clinic remain optimistic. He views AI as a tool that enhances decision-making, offering more clarity to both doctors and patients, without replacing medical expertise. According to Al Chami, AI’s role is to support, not override, the critical decisions made by doctors and embryologists.
Dr. Ali Abbara, a consultant at Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, also believes that AI holds immense potential to transform IVF, making it both more affordable and efficient. However, he stresses the importance of gathering more data to verify AI’s effectiveness. While the technology shows promise, Abbara cautions that more research is needed to ensure the technology is fully optimised before being widely adopted.
As AI continues to evolve, it’s hoped that IVF procedures will become more streamlined, leading to better outcomes and reduced costs for hopeful parents. Despite the advancements, the journey towards equal and accessible fertility care remains a significant challenge.
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