AI and computer vision remove the need for cell biopsy in testing embryos

Despite continuing controversies over its value in improving birth rates in IVF, testing embryos for their chromosomal content has become routine in many fertility clinics. Embryos with a normal complement of chromosomes (known as "euploid") are known to have a good chance of implanting in the uterus to become a pregnancy, while abnormal embryos (aneuploid) have no chance. Testing embryos for aneuploidy (known as PGT-A) has so far required a sample single cell or several cells taken from the embryo by biopsy, and this too has raised fears over safety such that a search for non-invasive methods has arisen in recent years. Now, a new study suggests that euploid embryos can be visually distinguished from aneuploid according to artificial intelligence references of cell activity as seen by time-lapse imaging--and thus without the need for cell biopsy. The results of the study will be presented today at the online annual meeting of ESHRE by Ms Lorena Bori from IVIRMA in Valencia, Spain, on behalf a joint research team from IVIRMA Valencia and AIVF, Israel, co-directed by Dr. Marcos Meseguer from Valencia and Dr. Daniella Gilboa from Tel-Aviv.