At Tel Aviv University, a new fertility technology is changing the game for couples facing difficulties in conceiving. This breakthrough method has significantly improved success rates in in vitro fertilization (IVF), raising the chance of pregnancy from 34% to an impressive 65%. Early studies reveal this method’s success: 20 pregnancies from 31 embryo transfers, compared to just 14 pregnancies from 41 transfers in the control group.
The key to this innovation lies in a refined process for selecting the best-quality sperm, adhering to the World Health Organization’s criteria. By improving sperm quality, the method enhances the likelihood of a healthy pregnancy and delivery.
This technology was created by Natan T. Shaked, who leads the Biomedical Engineering Department at Tel Aviv University. Its impressive findings have garnered attention in top scientific journals like the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
With many couples participating in the clinical trials, this innovative approach is paving the way for significant improvements in fertility treatments, bringing hope to many families seeking to grow.
Shaked expressed his surprise at the findings. He mentioned, “We always knew sperm selection mattered, but to nearly double the IVF success rate is astonishing. This shows how crucial sperm choice really is.”
Sperm issues are a factor in about half of infertility cases, yet the selection process in IVF had been rather basic. Shaked pointed out that focus was often on eggs due to limited advancements in sperm selection. The new technology ensures that only the highest quality sperm are selected, without compromising viable eggs.
A major hurdle in fertility treatments has been the lack of precise tools for real-time sperm evaluation. Until now, sperm selection mostly relied on movement and basic shape, overlooking vital aspects like internal structure and DNA quality.
Shaked explained, “Previously, if you wanted to check sperm structure, you had to stain them, which made them unusable for fertilization. Our technology changes that completely.”
His team developed an optical imaging technique that allows sperm assessment without any chemical staining. Using light interference and holography, they can analyze three vital factors at once: internal structure, motility, and DNA integrity. This ensures the selected sperm are strong and intact.
“This advances our ability to assess all three important factors at the single-cell level, in real time,” Shaked stated. “It’s a significant leap forward in technology.”
The innovation is now being brought to hospitals through QART Medical, a startup co-founded by Shaked six years ago. The goal was to develop a suitable device for clinical use.
Clinical trials are underway in several hospitals across Israel, including Barzilai and Meir, as well as international institutions like UCSF in California and the University of Tokyo.
Shaked noted that these collaborations allow for comprehensive testing of the technology, demonstrating its effectiveness in various medical settings.
QART Medical’s CEO, Alon Shalev, described their technology as a next-gen microscope. “It may look like a normal microscope, but it uses advanced 3D holographic imaging. This allows doctors to see the sperm’s internal structure live without damaging them.”
Shalev shared that some doctors find the results almost unbelievable. “Seeing real families achieve their dream of parenthood is what inspires us,” he added.
He recounted a touching story of a couple who went through 15 failed IVF attempts. When they finally tried this new method, they conceived on their 16th attempt and welcomed their first baby a month and a half ago.
The next goal for QART Medical is to expand globally. Shalev mentioned plans to reach more countries this year.
Next Steps in Technology
The company is also developing automated sperm selection. “Right now, embryologists use our device for informed choices. Soon, the system will select the best sperm automatically, streamlining the process,” Shalev explained.
Shaked highlighted that current sperm selection is still somewhat subjective. “With our system, clinicians get crucial data, paving the way for smarter decisions. Fully automating this will remove human bias and enhance accuracy,” he said.
With early results suggesting nearly double the success rates compared to standard IVF, Shaked believes their technology will shape the future of fertility treatments. “We’re providing embryologists with a clearer view of sperm, helping increase pregnancy chances and improve the health of babies conceived through IVF. It’s truly a breakthrough for fertility medicine.”
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Source linkIsrael,Tel Aviv University,technology,IVF
