After 18 Years of Struggle, Woman Gives Birth with Help of AI – Here’s How It Happened
AI in Fertility Treatment:
A couple had been trying to conceive for 18 years without success, as the woman was unable to get pregnant. Despite undergoing multiple rounds of in vitro fertilization (IVF) and consulting several doctors across the world, they saw no positive results. The root cause was a rare condition known as Azoospermia, in which the sperm count is extremely low or nearly absent.
The Turning Point with AI
Frustrated and running out of hope, the couple visited the Fertility Center at Columbia University. There, doctors employed a cutting-edge technology called Sperm Tracking and Recovery Method, which uses artificial intelligence (AI) to identify hidden sperm in azoospermic men. The recovered sperm samples were then analyzed by AI systems at the fertility center. From the analysis, three viable sperm cells were identified. These were used to fertilize the woman’s egg via IVF, leading to a successful pregnancy.
How the System Works
The sperm tracking system is connected to a high-speed camera-equipped microscope, integrated with advanced imaging technology. The semen sample is placed on a special chip and scanned thoroughly. This AI-powered system captures nearly 8 million images within an hour to detect sperm cells. Once identified, the sperm are isolated, and the process is known as cell recovery.
A Game-Changing Innovation
This method was developed over five years by Dr. Zev Williams, Director of the Fertility Center at Columbia University, and his team. The AI system can detect up to 44 sperm cells within an hour, even in samples where highly trained technicians fail to find any sperm in two days. This innovation could prove revolutionary in treating cases of azoospermia. Traditionally, treatment involves surgery or hormone therapy, which do not always guarantee success.
Cost of the Procedure
This AI-based technology is currently available only at Columbia University’s Fertility Center. It offers new hope for men suffering from azoospermia. The sperm retrieval, isolation, and freezing process costs around $3,000 (approximately ₹2.56 lakh). Dr. Zev Williams also plans to share this technology with other fertility centers to help more couples worldwide.
AI in Fertility Medications
In addition to diagnostics and sperm tracking, AI is also being used in fertility drug selection. Specialized algorithms can now predict which medications are likely to be more effective and safer. Tools like CHLOE can assess the quality of a woman’s eggs, allowing them to be preserved for future use. As a result, AI is playing an increasingly significant role in reproductive health, delivering promising outcomes in pregnancy treatments.
