Human Reproduction Journal has published the ground-breaking results of an international clinical study where a novel AI algorithm – called Life Whisperer Genetics – was developed by Presegen, an AI healthcare company, to assess the genetic integrity of embryos using only images.
The assessment is non-invasive, low-cost and provides results instantly. This is in stark contrast with PGT-A, one of the standard methods used in IVF today, which requires an invasive and potentially risky biopsy to remove a portion of the embryo, followed by an expensive and time-consuming genetic testing procedure.
The study was conducted with IVF clinics globally, including Ovation Fertility (USA), IVF-Life (Europe), Alpha IVF & Women’s Specialists (SE Asia) and Wings IVF (India). Results showed that the AI algorithm could identify whether an embryo was genetically normal or ‘euploid’. Identification of euploid embryos can result in improved clinical outcomes, such as a better chance at pregnancy success.
“Because this assessment is based on images alone, it is not as accurate as PGT-A itself, which involves actual DNA sequencing,” said Dr Sonya Diakiw, Chief Medical Science Officer, Presagen. “But we are finding that PGT-A results themselves can be variable, as they depend on the embryo sample being tested. PGT-A only tests five cells from a total of around 200, so it is not always representative of the entire embryo. Life Whisperer Genetics is a whole-embryo assessment of genetic integrity that does not require any invasive procedures, which can be used to prioritise embryos for use in IVF procedures.”
“Computer vision with AI may revolutionise IVF treatment and this new technique is another milestone of AI in IVF,” added Adelle Yun Xin Lim, Chief Embryologist, Presagen. “The technique will help doctors and embryologists around the world to predict the chromosome status of embryos in a rapid and non-invasive manner enabling the prioritisation of embryos that are likely to be euploid for transfer or for further confirmatory PGT testing, leading to a faster time to pregnancy and reducing the cost of the treatment.”
Life Whisperer Genetics is already available for IVF clinics and their patients in over 40 countries globally. It can be used in combination with Life Whisperer Viability, which assesses if an embryo is likely to lead to a pregnancy. International clinical studies have shown that Life Whisperer Viability can perform better than embryologists’ current manual embryo assessment methods. Together, Life Whisperer Viability and Life Whisperer Genetics provide a comprehensive assessment of embryo quality.