High quality embryos are known to result in higher implantation rates, reduced miscarriages, and improved live birth outcomes. A one-step, non-invasive AI for identifying embryos that are both euploid and of high morphological quality will likely lead to improved IVF outcomes for patients.

The machine learning model is able to select the top embryo for transfer with similar performance to experienced embryologists. Such a model could allow for objective and consistent embryo selection resulting in potential standardization across laboratory practices and networks.

Even though embryo vitrification has been performed for nearly two decades, there is no consensus on exposure timing of embryos to vitrification and warming solutions. With embryo exposure timing in equilibration solution (ES) varying from 6-15 minutes, vitrification is time consuming in a busy IVF lab. Warming is a multistep process that can vary from 10-13 min. The aim of this study was to compare reducing the vitrification and warming time and evaluate the blastocyst survival rate and subsequent pregnancy rate.

Injecting MI oocytes proves to have very low euploid blastocyst development (1.2%). The additional time and resources taken to inject MIs may not justify the low euploid outcome. More data is needed to determine if euploid embryos developed from injected MIs result in live births.

Embryo evaluation is a critical step of in vitro fertilization (IVF). Here, we sought to develop an AI model that can automate the Gardner scale morphology grading that is performed routinely in labs, including degree of expansion (3,4,5,6), inner cell mass (ICM) grade (A,B,C), and trophectoderm (TE) grade (A,B,C).

What is the effect of time-point on performance of a non-invasive artificial intelligence (AI) algorithm for evaluating embryo genetic status?

Are there differences in fertilization, blastocyst development, or euploidy rates when comparing ICSI versus conventional insemination among patients with male and non-male factor infertility?

Is it possible to remotely monitor a patient’s hormone levels during an ART cycle using an unobtrusive and subcutaneously injectable biosensor for real-time monitoring?

How does the embryo grade and day of vitrification affect FET outcomes from in vitro fertilization (IVF) cycles utilizing preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidy (PGT-A)?

Embryos fully enclosed in the zona pellucida (ZP) may survive freeze and warm processes better than fully hatched embryos. The objective of this study is to discover if the position of the inner cell mass (ICM) inside or outside the ZP affects the embryo potential on pregnancy rates after freezing and warming when the embryo is not fully hatched. This comparison will find if the ICM outside of the ZP leads to a difference in embryo potential.

Although oocytes with delayed maturation have decreased embryo potential, some of these oocytes go on to create euploid blastocysts. Ultimately, it is beneficial to the patient to reevaluate oocyte maturation at ICSI to increase the number of embryos for transfer.

Upon rapid warming, independent of the device system used, the viability of vitrified blastocysts is not dependent on a commercial source or particular type the non-permeating sugar solution to elute cryoprotectants from blastomeres.

There is currently no widely adopted methodology for determining oocyte competency. Such a development could decrease time, cost and unnecessary stress for patients. This study shows it may be possible to develop a robust AI for non-invasive screening of oocytes prior to ICSI or cryopreservation, allowing informed choices regarding oocyte selection or the necessity of further IVF cycles.

Euploid embryos demonstrate improved clinical outcomes over mosaic/aneuploid embryos, such as higher pregnancy rates and reduced miscarriages. However, randomized controlled trials have not demonstrated a consistent benefit for PGT-A, possibly due to biopsy damage. Alternative non-invasive methods for evaluation of embryo ploidy, like the genetics AI, may improve outcomes when used with other methods for embryo evaluation and selection.

The genetic status of an embryo at time of transfer is an important factor in determining the likelihood of successful live birth. Invasive genetic testing methods have, however, failed to demonstrate a consistent benefit in IVF, possibly due to embryo damage from biopsy. Non-invasive methods of genetic assessment, such as the genetics AI described here, may provide viable alternative methods for evaluating the likelihood of a live birth outcome.

The present study provides useful information for embryo selection according to the day of biopsy and vitrification in clinics that utilize a high percentage of PGT and subsequent FET. Previous studies utilized varied parameters that were difficult for comparison. Recommendations to transfer Day 5 over Day 6 may have resulted in disposition of viable embryos with the ability to result in live birth. The inclusion of a larger data set could strengthen the recommendation of the superior day of transfer. Embryo selection is a multifactorial process encompassing a range of parameters and further investigation is warranted.

What is the expected improvement in pregnancy rates using an AI model for embryo ranking compared to manual grading systems?

Does patient age need to be explicitly factored into embryo quality assessment, or does embryo morphology alone capture the age related decline in embryo quality?

What is the sensitivity of an embryo-grading AI model to different focal planes and how do we obtain consistent scores across focal planes?

Can lower concentrations of lactate in culture medium have a positive effect on day 5 and day 6 blastocyst ploidy determined by PGT-A?