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How to select the best embryos? Could artificial intelligence be the future of embryo selection?
In recent years, with the advancement of reproductive technology, embryo transfer technology has generally improved the success rate of infertility treatment. When it comes to selecting suitable embryos to increase the chance of pregnancy, the application of artificial intelligence (AI) has received more and more attention. Not only may the embryo evaluation process be improved, but overall fertility outcomes may also be optimized.
Basic knowledge of the embryo transfer process
Embryo transfer is a key step in assisted reproduction, often used in conjunction with in vitro fertilization (IVF), to place embryos in a woman's uterus to induce pregnancy. Embryos can be transferred on day 2 or 3 after fertilization, or at the blastocyst stage. Success rates are affected by multiple factors, including endometrium receptivity, embryo quality, and transfer technique proficiency.
Fresh embryos vs. frozen embryos
According to clinical experience, there is no significant difference in the success rate of fresh embryos and frozen embryos.
This means that frozen embryo transfer (FET) often provides women with more choices and can also be performed during different menstrual cycles to optimize endometrial preparation.Pregnancy rates with frozen embryos are generally higher and there is no increased risk of birth defects or developmental abnormalities.
Embryo timing and quality assessment
Embryos can be transferred at different stages of development after fertilization.
However, this also means that fewer embryos are used, which requires consideration of the overall clinical pregnancy rate.Studies have shown that embryos transferred at the blastocyst stage can significantly increase the live birth rate compared to embryos on day 3.
The role of artificial intelligence
With the development of technology, many laboratories have begun to use AI to evaluate embryos. For example, the Embryo Ranking Intelligent Classification Algorithm (ERICA) non-invasively sorts embryos based on predicted genetic status. Although the current research is still in progress,
its potential is widely recognized and may become a revolutionary technology for embryo selection in the future.
Select the appropriate number of embryos
How to select the appropriate number of embryos is also a crucial issue. Although in the past, doctors often recommended the simultaneous transfer of multiple embryos to increase the chance of pregnancy, many countries have now stipulated that the use of multiple embryos should be reduced and advocated single embryo transfer (e-SET) to reduce the risk of multiple pregnancy.
The future with technological advancement
With the further development of artificial intelligence technology, especially the advancement of big data analysis and machine learning, AI will be able to provide more accurate assessment and judgment in the process of embryo selection in the future. This will not only improve the success rate of pregnancy, but also promote the advancement of reproductive technology in the future.
However, will the implementation of these technologies change our understanding and expectations of fertility?
