Page 14 - GTM-2-2
P. 14

Global Translational Medicine                                                  Clinical algorithms in ART



                   predict which embryos are most likely to develop   treatment recommendations, optimizing treatment
                   successfully, allowing embryologists to prioritize   protocols, and predicting responses to treatment.
                   these embryos for transfer and reducing the time   However, these approaches are still in the early stages of
                   required for manual embryo selection .      development,  and  further  research  is  needed  to  validate
                                                 [39]
               ii.  Embryo scoring algorithms: Embryo scoring   their effectiveness in clinical practice.
                   algorithms use machine learning techniques    These new instruments are improving the experiences
                   to predict the likelihood of successful embryo   of  both clinicians  and patients,  with a  larger  applicative
                   implantation based on a range of factors, such as   in gamete, embryo selection, and egg/embryo storage.
                   morphological characteristics and developmental   Nevertheless, the application of AI in the IVF laboratory
                   stage. These algorithms can prioritize embryos for   to streamline patient care is a growing but not yet fully
                   transfer and reduce the time required for manual   realized concept. This  is why we still believe that, in
                   embryo selection [39,40] .                  clinical rather than laboratory, AI applications are more
               iii.  Fertilization prediction algorithms: Fertilization   immediately useful in medical practice for ART. The
                   prediction algorithms use patient-specific data,   question of accurately estimating the overall probability of
                   such as age, hormonal levels, and sperm quality,   a medical outcome resulting from two independent events
                   to predict the likelihood of successful fertilization.   still remains for clinicians. While it is possible to do so in
                   These algorithms can optimize the timing of   certain  cases,  such  diagnostic  and prognostic decisions
                   procedures and reduce the time required for   often require the consideration of multiple probabilities or
                   manual monitoring and intervention .        steps. However, in cases where multiple independent events
                                                [8]
               iv.  Quality control algorithms: Quality control   are involved, the misestimation of the overall probability of
                   algorithms use statistical techniques to monitor   success (known as the conjunction fallacy) is likely to lead
                   laboratory performance and ensure the safety   to diagnostic and prognostic errors .
                                                                                           [32]
                   and accuracy of procedures. These algorithms can
                   detect anomalies and deviations from established   That happens in the diagnosis and treatment of RIF
                   protocols  and alert  laboratory  staff  to potential   where  several  factors are  concurring to  the failure, one
                                                                                     [43]
                   issues before they affect outcomes .        independent from the other .
                                              [12]
               v.  Cryopreservation algorithms: Cryopreservation   The diagnostic tool by questionnaire of Chapron
                   algorithms use machine learning techniques to   et  al. [21]  is a real improvement of the clinical approach to
                   predict the likelihood of successful embryo or gamete   this disease because it is able to shorten the first diagnosis
                   cryopreservation based on a range of factors, such   and accelerate the possible treatment with an improved
                   as age, hormonal levels, and clinical history. These   prognostic value for prospective fertility treatment results
                   algorithms can optimize the timing and methods of   in those women (Table 2). The assessment of male  and
                                                                                                        [25]
                   cryopreservation and reduce the time required for   female [26-29]   gametes  with  specific  automatic  prognostic
                   manual monitoring and intervention [41,42] .  grading allocation according to the production and/or
              However, even if these algorithms could still improve   reservoir is a substantial help in the clinical management
            the laboratory efficiency of IVF programs, reducing the   of the infertile couple without adding some new potential
            time required for manual procedures, optimizing the use   improvement in pregnancy outcome (Table 2). The starting
            of  resources,  and  improving  outcomes  for  patients,  they   dose of gonadotropins in the COS represents a great help in
            still do not exhibit evidence of an improvement in the   the same management, improving the clinical effort in that
            procedure’s efficiency. By integrating these algorithms   management [28,29] , as well as the trigger timing calculation
            into clinical practice, IVF programs could achieve   that  avoids  mistakes  and  delays  or  anticipation  leading
            higher success rates and provide safer and more effective   to reduced oocyte pick up (OPU) efficiency (Table 2).
            treatment. But still, randomized and controlled trials are   There is still discussion about the efficiency of picking up
            needed for full validations.                       and fertilizing the maximal oocytes as possible for each
                                                               aspiration  or performing  mild  stimulation and  partial
              The use of AI in infertility treatment can improve the   fertilization of oocytes. Thus, the model for calculating the
            accuracy, efficiency,  and  success  rates  of reproductive   magic number to maximize results and reduce the number
            medicine, leading to better patient outcomes and increased   of oocytes to pick up remains to be established for efficiency
            access  to  fertility care.  We  reported available  tools  and   contribution and the use of this algorithm, but it is useful
            algorithms focused to personalize medical efforts.  to follow the concern  of  clinicians that refuse to  collect
              Specific algorithms have the potential to improve the   as many embryos as possible in the perspective of better
            effectiveness and safety of COS by providing personalized   efficiency of this procedure  (Table 2). The ART calculator
                                                                                    [44]

            Volume 2 Issue 2 (2023)                         8                        https://doi.org/10.36922/gtm.0308
   9   10   11   12   13   14   15   16   17   18   19