Key Takeaways
- Demand for in vitro fertilization (IVF) is rising, leading to a shortage of embryologists and genetic counselors in the U.S.
- Fairtility’s CHLOE, the first FDA-approved AI tool for embryo assessment, predicts embryo health to improve IVF outcomes.
- Use of AI aims to streamline embryology practices, allowing scientists to focus more on essential research than administrative tasks.
The Role of Embryologists in IVF
Embryologists play a crucial role in the in vitro fertilization (IVF) process, managing embryo development, selection, and lab conditions. With soaring demand for fertility treatments, the U.S. currently faces a significant shortage of both embryologists and genetic counselors.
Klaus Wiemer, an experienced embryologist and IVF lab director, suggests that artificial intelligence (AI) could help alleviate this shortage by predicting embryo health in real time. Wiemer holds the position of chief scientific officer at Fairtility, a company leveraging AI to enhance the study of egg and embryo viability prior to IVF procedures. The company has developed an algorithm named CHLOE (Cultivating Human Life through Optimal Embryos), which is trained on extensive data concerning embryo characteristics and outcomes. This AI can quickly evaluate a patient’s embryos and identify those with the highest chances for successful implantation, potentially reducing time to pregnancy and increasing live birth rates. Although CHLOE’s effectiveness has only been retrospectively validated, it stands as the first and only FDA-approved AI tool for embryo evaluation.
The Existing Challenges
The primary aim of IVF procedures is to create genetically normal embryos. In practice, embryologists perform cell biopsies on embryos, sending samples for genetic testing, a process that can take up to two weeks and add significant costs to treatments. Even with successful genetic testing, passing the screen only indicates correct chromosomal numbers and does not necessarily correlate with the embryo’s overall health.
Wiemer emphasizes that the fundamental role of an embryo is to divide, noting that numerous factors—including cell division characteristics, inner cell mass size, and trophectoderm contractions—are vital for healthy development. The CHLOE model facilitates ongoing assessments of embryo characteristics against optimal development benchmarks. Wiemer states that CHLOE provides an AI score that encapsulates the embryo’s developmental metrics, which could ultimately eliminate the need for biopsies in assessing embryo quality.
Advancements in Embryology
According to Wiemer, advancements in AI technology can streamline workflows in embryology labs, reducing administrative duties for embryologists. He points out that current inefficiencies result in embryologists spending 40 percent of their time on non-scientific tasks. AI can alleviate these burdens, allowing professionals to refocus on essential research and development.
Describing CHLOE as a “virtual assistant” for lab staff, Wiemer explains that AI not only aids in embryo selection and optimizes lab conditions, but it also generates reports for medical teams and patients. The ability to analyze extensive data on embryo development represents a significant leap forward, showcasing opportunities that were previously unattainable.
This shift signifies a transformation in the embryology field, enabling embryologists to enhance their scientific contributions and improve overall treatment outcomes for IVF patients. With AI tools like CHLOE, the future of embryology looks promising, laying the groundwork for a more efficient and effective approach to fertility treatments.
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