A highly automated version of in vitro fertilization (IVF) has resulted in a successful birth, sparking optimism that this method might reduce the chances of errors occurring during these processes.
A technique utilized in vitro fertilization (IVF) is intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). In this process, a single sperm cell is directly injected into an egg within a laboratory setting. ICSI is frequently employed when dealing with issues related to male fertility since it bypasses the requirement for sperm to penetrate the egg independently. Following this procedure, any developed embryos are transferred back into the woman’s uterus. Alternatively, during standard IVF procedures, both sperm and eggs are combined in a petri dish hoping natural fertilization occurs. Although this conventional approach tends to yield lower success rates compared to ICSI, it involves minimal medical intrusion.
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ICSI also comes with disadvantages since it depends heavily on precise judgment from healthcare providers. "These professionals get fatigued and occasionally lose concentration, similar to those in many other fields, which leads to mistakes that can decrease the chances of successful fertilization and pregnancies," explains. Jacques Cohen At Conceivable Life Sciences, a biotechnology firm based in New York City.
To tackle this issue, Cohen and his team have created a device capable of executing 23 crucial stages needed for ICSI. These steps are started manually when an individual presses a button while observing a live feed of the procedure. The operation can be managed remotely, potentially from another continent.
In a single process, the device employs an artificial intelligence model to choose the most viable sperm cells for fertilization according to their visual characteristics. Subsequently, the apparatus deactivates the sperm by applying a laser pulse to their tails, making them simpler to extract. Later on, it introduces these selected sperms directly into collected eggs. An analogous method has undergone previous testing as well. leading to two live births , however, not all steps were executed by a machine.
In order to validate their device, the scientists enlisted a couple experiencing difficulties conceiving. This challenge was due in part to the fact that the male partner struggled with immotile sperm. Additionally, the female partner faced issues related to egg production; thus, donated eggs were utilized for the treatment process.
The research team randomly allocated five out of the eight donated eggs for fertilization with the help of the automated system, resulting in four embryos. In contrast, the remaining three eggs underwent conventional manual ICSI fertilization, also leading to embryo formation.
They subsequently employed an additional AI model to choose the two most promising embryos, evaluated by the structure of their chromosomes. Although both were generated through the automated process, this does not automatically imply that this method yields healthier embryos compared to traditional ICSI techniques, according to Cohen. The limited quantity of eggs restricts our ability to assess this effectively, as he points out.
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After inserting one of the embryos into the woman’s uterus, it did not progress; however, the second embryo resulted in a successful delivery.
This is an exhilarating proof-of-concept, according to Joyce Harper At University College London, it has been suggested that more extensive research involving random assignment of couples to receive either the automated or manual LISI procedure is necessary to determine if the automated method increases birthrates. She mentions this requirement for conclusive evidence.
Automated IVF is not expected to become widespread immediately because of the extra costs involved, particularly during its initial implementation, according to Harper. However, Cohen anticipates that these expenses will decrease over time as improvements are made. "We anticipate that as we optimize, standardize, and perfect the process, both patients and clinics will see a reduction in costs," he explains.
Journal reference:
Reproductive BioMedicine Online DOI: 10.1016/j.rbmo.2025.104943