Dr Vaishnavi A Rao, Senior Consultant-Reproductive Medicine, Milann Fertility Hospital throws light on the role of technology in IVF
Today, IVF is one of the necessary and a commonly used treatment option in the journey of parenthood. This method of getting pregnant has gained much popularity among patients and medical professionals over the past decade and it is now more accessible and affordable in low- and middle- income countries. Moreover ,socio-demographic changes have led to an increase in the demand for In-Vitro Fertilization (IVF). The new technologies have made it easier to supply the procedure, being helpful to a sizable part of people to reproduce.
However, in order to improve the efficacy and health outcomes of ART treatments, the quality, regulation, and transparency of fertility treatments are the main issues in India’s current ART system. Fortunately, the most recent IVF technologies deal with the problems mentioned above and are trailblasing in increasing the success rates of IVF procedures by realizing the parental desires of many childless couples.
Over time, prevailing beliefs and attitudes toward infertility and how people approach reproductive treatments tend to change. While doctors are always focused on the particular requirements of one distinct patient at a time, it can occasionally be instructive to adopt a broader viewpoint.
Here are some current developments in IVF technology:
Artificial Intelligence (AI) in IVF
AI can improve clinical effectiveness and efficiency, improving the ART treatment plan. Embryologists carefully examine the images to search for a certain set of clearly observable characteristics. While an embryologist with a certain level of expertise has limited knowledge, the AI predictor’s database contains at least 100,000 instances. It can effectively predict the future with certainty. Furthermore, the AI models can now evaluate minute characteristics that are frequently challenging for even the most experienced embryologists to see.
AI integrates with Time-Lapsing Imaging (TLI) technology to generate ongoing projections from fertilisation to the blastocyst stage. The TLI system takes pictures of embryos at different stages of development, which are then automatically identified, segmented, and examined at the pixel level. With the use of this technology, better and early selection of in vitro embryo from the cohort is possible.
The use of AI in development of portable semen analysis machine, prediction of embryo ploidy ,single embryo transfer thereby decreasing the chance of multiple pregnancy and prediction of successful implantation rates is more likely.
Stem cell treatment
Stem cell treatment is another advancement in IVF treatment. Stem cells for cell treatment are primarily extracted from bone marrow or fat tissues. In order to replace damaged stem cells, your doctor will take healthy stem cells and inject them into your body. These cells are called totipotent stem cells because of their extraordinary ability to self-regrow and differentiate into any type of cell and attach to the damaged area of the body that needs healing and reconstruction. This is one of the most researched topic in various fields of medicine.
Cryopreservation
In today’s era , women are more career oriented and hence tend to delay pregnancy. While one cannot control the time running out, assisted reproductive technology gives people the chance to keep their options open while also allowing for both personal and professional development.
Oocyte cryopreservation, which involves freezing unfertilised eggs taken from an individual’s ovaries and storing them for later use, is one of the most popular methods used by many women to preserve their fertility. Cryopreservation is possible for women of any reproductive age, even though one’s eggs are at their healthiest in their 20s and 30s.Other than social causes , it can also be useful for certain young women diagnosed with cancers wherein the treatment involved might affect their fertility. However, one cannot ignore the well known facts like advanced maternal age associated with increased pregnancy complications and also the costs involved in this procedure.
Laser assisted hatching
The most advanced IVF procedure is laser-assisted hatching which is useful in certain conditions. It entails developing a hole in the embryo’s tough exterior shell, so that it becomes easier for invitro embryo to implant. The embryo successfully implants in the womb in the majority of IVF treatments.
Oocyte activation IVF
In Vitro Fertilization-Embryo Transfer (IVF-ET) cycles, Artificial Oocyte Activation (AOA), which uses calcium ionophore to help stimulate the egg and increase fertilization, is a highly effective method to prevent complete fertilization failure.
Robotic technology and nanobots
Due to advancements in robotics and nanotechnology, Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI) has become more automated, enabling real-time analysis of oocyte penetration by selecting the best sperm or embryo for a certain circumstance. The best sperm cell is selected and sent to the egg, using nanotechnology, where it is implanted to develop a healthy embryo.
Final thoughts
Future technological developments that are now being created and sophisticated have the potential to significantly alter the realm of ART despite the unprecedent medical challenges as was the recent COVID pandemic. Some of these technologies, such as those concentrating on the genetic analysis of growing in vitro embryo or oocyte cryopreservation, affect the medical treatment of individuals who have and do not have an infertility diagnosis.
The development and spread of ART advances have been exponential. In fact, what was in 1978 considered by many to be a contentious medical curiosity has significantly altered the outlook for couples struggling with infertility, and is now responsible for a growing percentage of births around the world. In addition, numerous ART advancements have raised success rates and given couples receiving treatment a wide range of alternatives.
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