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Artificial Intelligence in Health                                           AI in embryo selection for ART



            infertility has been decreasing, potentially due to   of AI-based ART into the embryo selection process. Key
            greater access to infertility treatment facilities.  Assisted   input data include genetic profiles, historical success
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            reproductive technologies (ARTs) hold promise for   rates, and medical histories. Using deep learning and ML
            struggling couples with infertility. It can be a common   methods, AI systems analyze this data to predict embryo
            approach to the problem in the future. 3,4         viability. Selected  embryos  are  then  processed  using
                                                               AI-based ART. Pregnancy outcomes are tracked, enabling
              ART techniques, such as intracytoplasmic sperm
            injection (ICSI) and  in vitro fertilization (IVF), are   continuous refinement and optimization of the AI systems.
            frequently utilized to assist infertile couples in getting   Ethical considerations and regulatory compliance are
            pregnant. The procedures involve the retrieval of eggs,   crucial at every stage of this process. This systematic review
            laboratory fertilization with sperm, transfer of viable   explores the following research queries (RQs):
            embryos into the uterus, and control of ovarian stimulation.   •   RQ1. What are the current state-of-the-art AI
            The viability of ART is highly dependent on the quality of   technologies used in embryo selection for ART?
            gametes and embryos, which are conventionally evaluated   •   RQ2. To what extent does ART improve the pregnancy
            subjectively by embryologists based on morphological   success rate and live birth outcomes compared to
                                                                  traditional methods?
            criteria.
                                                               •   RQ3. How can AI algorithms be seamlessly integrated
              Since the birth of Louise Brown, the first infant conceived   into  existing  embryo  selection  protocols  and
            through IVF, ART has undergone significant advancements   laboratory workflows to leverage the expertise of
            aimed at reducing complications and improving         embryologists and healthcare professionals?
            outcomes.  The integration of artificial intelligence (AI)   •   RQ4. What is the impact of AI-driven embryo
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            into ART holds great promise for enhancing outcomes.   selection on the psychological health and decision-
            AI technologies, such as computer-assisted sperm analysis   making processes of prospective parents, particularly
            and machine learning (ML) algorithms, enable the      in light of ethical concerns?
            objective evaluation of semen parameters and embryo   •   RQ5. What are the primary barriers and limitations
            quality. By standardizing evaluations and processing large   to the clinical application of AI algorithms in embryo
            volumes of data, AI has the potential to enhance treatment   selection, and how are these technologies being
            outcomes and increase conception rates.  However,     developed and validated?
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            despite its groundbreaking breakthroughs, only 30% of
            ART treatments result in conception, highlighting the   2. Research methodology
            necessity for more accurate predictive models.  As the   This section outlines the research design and analytical
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            process involves manipulating human gametes or embryos   procedures used in the present study.
            in vitro, ART outcomes are influenced by multiple
            complex factors, including the cause of infertility, age,   2.1. Overview
            hormonal profile, and laboratory conditions. Advanced   According  to McKenzie  et al.,  a systematic review is  a
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            technologies, such as AI and ML, are being explored to   rigorous, structured method for identifying, evaluating,
            enhance prediction accuracy and decision-making in   and synthesizing  research  evidence  on a  specific
            ART,  with promising results in predicting IVF cycle   question using predefined protocols. It minimizes
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            outcomes and guiding embryo selection.  These systems   bias  through  comprehensive  literature  searches  and
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            interpret  data  using  image-based analysis  to provide   transparent processes, often incorporating meta-analysis
            clinically relevant recommendations,  and AI models are   to quantitatively combine study findings. Consequently,
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            also being developed to classify reproductive data, such as   this systematic review was conducted to investigate the
            embryonic development and semen characteristics.  As 4,11-  technologies utilized in AI-guided embryo selection and to
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            13  AI continues to demonstrate potential in improving   map the current landscape of advancements within ART.
            diagnostic and therapeutic processes in reproductive
            medicine, its adoption in fertility clinics is likely to   2.2. Objectives
            increase.   Nonetheless,  challenges  remain  regarding  the   The key objectives of this systematic review include:
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            generalizability and standardization of AI applications in   (i)  To examine current AI applications in embryo
            ART. 4                                                selection and analyze the success rates of various ML
              This systematic review aims to identify and map     models used in ART
            the current landscape of research on embryo selection,   (ii)  To  identify  potential  future  improvements,
            focusing on advancements and innovations in AI-based   innovations,  and  existing  research  gaps  in the
            ARTs. In Figure 1, the flow diagram depicts the integration   application of AI for embryo selection


            Volume 2 Issue 3 (2025)                         2                         https://doi.org/10.36922/aih.7170
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