Smart Science: AI Tracks IVF Lab Conditions to Boost Pregnancy Success

not just biological but also environmental factors in the lab—offering fresh hope to millions of aspiring parents. 

Rethinking IVF: Beyond Biology and Medicine

IVF has long focused on biological and medical factors, such as hormone levels, egg quality, and sperm viability. But Malmö University’s new research underscores a less explored element: the lab environment itself.

“There are so many factors that can influence IVF success, and some of the most overlooked ones are actually external—like temperature, air pressure, humidity, and the presence of microparticles in the lab,” explains researcher Reza Khoshkangini, who is leading the project.

Ideally, labs should be airtight to maintain consistent conditions. But IVF samples, including embryos, need to be handled and moved throughout the fertilization process—usually over six days. As a result, maintaining perfect lab conditions is nearly impossible.

AI Meets Fertility Science

To tackle this, the Malmö team collaborated with industry experts to develop advanced environmental sensors that are now installed in the university’s reproductive center. These sensors collect real-time data every 10 minutes on critical environmental variables that might affect embryo development.

Complementing these sensors are high-resolution images of the developing embryos, providing an in-depth view of how they respond to different conditions. All of this data is then analyzed using AI, particularly machine learning algorithms, which detect patterns and predict outcomes.

“What we hope AI can do is find a link—a repeating pattern—between variations in environmental conditions and what happens in the embryo sample,” Khoshkangini says. “If we can understand how external factors influence embryo development in a negative way, we can begin to adjust and optimise our labs to prevent that.”

Predicting Future Success

The team’s vision is to use AI not just to monitor conditions, but to predict the outcome of a fertilization cycle. By learning which specific lab environments correlate with high-quality embryo development, researchers aim to design protocols that can be implemented across fertility clinics worldwide.

“Through AI, we can use the data to predict a future outcome—simply put, which circumstances will produce a qualitative outcome,” Khoshkangini adds.

The implications go far beyond just one clinic. If successful, this model could become a global template, helping IVF clinics in diverse climates adjust their lab environments for better success rates.

Expanding the Scope: From Malmö to the World

While the initial study is being conducted in Malmö, Khoshkangini and his team are actively looking to collaborate with clinics outside Europe, aiming to understand how local climates and environmental conditions play into IVF success rates.

“We want to see how transferable our findings are. What works in Sweden may not work in Brazil or India. But if AI can find adaptable patterns, then we’re looking at a global breakthrough,” he says.

A Broader Impact on Society

The societal implications are significant. Infertility affects around one in six couples globally, often leading to emotional distress, strained relationships, and even financial hardship.

“Not having a child affects not only the parents, but society,” says Khoshkangini. “Improving IVF outcomes could transform lives by addressing core issues like fertility, mental health, and family planning. It also contributes to greater socio-economic equality, giving more people the chance to build families regardless of their geographic or financial circumstances.”

The Future of Fertility is Intelligent

As IVF technology continues to evolve, Malmö University’s work marks a promising shift towards more data-informed, AI-assisted treatment strategies. Although success rates have gradually improved over the last few decades, they still leave room for significant enhancement.

“This is where I hope we can make a difference,” Khoshkangini concludes. “With AI, we can not only improve IVF success rates, but also ensure that more people around the world have the chance to start families.”

In an age where artificial intelligence is shaping industries from finance to healthcare, it may soon become one of the most vital tools in the journey to parenthood.

Reference: https://medicalbuyer.co.in/how-ai-driven-research-can-improve-ivf-success-rates/