The medical technology sector has, over the years, transformed fertility treatments a great deal, especially with In Vitro Fertilization (IVF). From being a pioneering technique in the late 1970s, the procedure has evolved into a rather intricate and complex niche area that also offers hope to millions of infertile couples worldwide. This blog has outlined details on various types of advanced IVF Treatments, emerging technologies, and what the future holds.
Understanding IVF: A Brief Overview
IVF involves extracting eggs from the ovaries of the woman, sperm fertilisation in the lab, and transfer of the resulting embryo(s) to the uterus. Even though IVF has successfully assisted millions of couples with normal reproduction, advancements in reproductive technology have only opened doors for more sophisticated techniques that bring a better possible outcome.
Modern IVF involves a lot more than the mere act of fertilisation and transfer of embryos; the practice now encompasses various specialised treatments that differ according to the type of fertility problem.
Advanced IVF Techniques
1. Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI)
The most prominent sophisticated IVF techniques found in use today include Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection or ICSI, which was particularly designed to deal with male infertility problems such as low concentration of sperm or poor motility. In ICSI, a single sperm is injected straight into the egg, so the sperm does not have to swim through the outer layer of the egg. It significantly increases the chances of fertilisation if standard IVF fails to do so.
Success Rate: ICSI has a fertilisation rate of 50% to 80% per cycle and is used in nearly 75% of all IVF procedures involving male infertility.
2. Preimplantation Genetic Testing (PGT)
Valuable to couples concerned with genetic disorders or abnormalities in chromosomes is Preimplantation Genetic Testing (PGT). PGT allows medical professionals to test the embryo against a given genetic condition before it is transferred to the uterus.
There are two forms of PGT:
- PGT-A for aneuploidy: This test screens for an abnormal number of chromosomes
- PGT-M for monogenic disorders: This tests for particular genetic diseases, such as cystic fibrosis or Tay-Sachs disease.
With PGT, couples can reduce the risks of disorders that might accompany genetics and have an enhanced possibility of attaining a successful and healthy pregnancy.
Success Rate: A 2021 study of Fertility and Sterility indicated that PGT elevates the live birth rate by 10% to 15% in a woman older than 35 years or experiencing recurrent miscarriage.
3. Assisted Hatching
In some cases, an embryo is unable to break its outer cover, referred to as the zona pellucida, and therefore unable to implant within the uterus. Assisted hatching is an advanced procedure in which embryos are helped to hatch and implant by leaving a small hole in the zona pellucida. Assisted hatching is utilised explicitly in cases of women over 37 years or when the patient has undergone multiple cycles of IVF failure.
Success Rate: Assisted hatching will improve the chances of implantation by 10% to 15%. Its success rate is mainly seen in older women or those who have failed attempts.
4. Cryopreservation and Frozen Embryo Transfer (FET)
Freezing the embryos, or cryopreservation, is now standard practice in modern IVF Treatment. Frozen Embryo Transfer (FET) then became the option to use previously frozen embryos in subsequent cycles of IVF. Several studies have suggested that FET is not only as successful but slightly better than the transfer of fresh embryos, primarily because the uterus has more time to recover from stimulation.
Success Rate: The success rate is within the range of 48% to 54%, as found in a study conducted by a 2022 article published in the journal Human Reproduction, and this depends on the age of the woman and the quality of the embryos.
5. In Vitro Maturation (IVM)
Unlike conventional IVF, where mature eggs are retrieved directly from the ovaries, IVM involves retrieving immature eggs and allowing them to mature in the laboratory before fertilisation. The previous procedure reduces injections of hormones and is therefore ideal for women who suffer from Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) or are at risk of OHSS.
Success Rate: Although the technology is rarely used, it has still been successful enough to produce a live birth rate of approximately 30% to 35%.
Advances at the Cutting Edge of IVF
Science never ceases to amaze, and today, some cutting-edge technologies are emerging that aim to increase the success rate of IVF treatments:
1. Artificial Intelligence in the Selection of Embryo
AI algorithms can analyse images of embryos in time-lapse and evaluate their quality, providing embryologists with more information on choosing appropriate embryos to transfer for better implantation rates without the subjective nature of embryo grading.
2. Mitochondrial Donation (Three-Parent IVF)
For women with mitochondrial disorders, mitochondrial donation, also known as three-parent IVF, is the hope. In this process, the nuclear DNA from the mother’s egg is transferred to a donor egg with healthy mitochondria, thus leaving behind the possibility of transference of mitochondrial diseases.
3. Stem Cell Therapy for Ovarian Rejuvenation
For example, in the area of stem cell therapy, new studies are targeting the rejuvenation of the ovaries and then re-establishing their competency to produce eggs, especially in women who have premature ovarian failure. This therapy is at its budding stages, but it may be the future for women with diminished ovarian reserve to appreciate a new fertility treatment approach.
The Future of Advanced IVF Treatments
Future hopes for advanced IVF Treatments include gene-editing technologies, such as CRISPR, and, in theory, the possibility of one’s eggs and sperm being grown from a skin cell. These advances may one day remove most causes of infertility.
This will slowly push open the doors to couples who, many years ago, would not have ever been able to have children. Continued research on new technologies for advanced IVF techniques continues to offer hope for higher success rates than even previously thought possible. With advanced technology and personalised treatment plans, parenthood has never been closer.