The Future of IVF: The New Normal in Human Reproduction

Abstract

Increased demand for in vitro fertilization (IVF) due to socio-demographic trends, and supply facilitated by new technologies, converged to transform the way a substantial proportion of humans reproduce. The purpose of this article is to describe the societal and demographic trends driving increased worldwide demand for IVF, as well as to provide an overview of emerging technologies that promise to greatly expand IVF utilization and lower its cost.

Oxidative Stress and Acrosomal Status of Human Spermatozoa Subjected to Hydrophobic Carbon Soot Treatments

“…Not surprisingly, if regular sexual intercourses within a period of 12 months do not lead to clinical pregnancy, due to impaired spermatogenesis, the infertile couples strongly rely on a positive outcome of assisted reproduction [ 4 , 5 , 6 ]. This term comprises all clinical methods used to assist in gaining pregnancy, amongst which the classic in-vitro fertilization (IVF) has the highest efficiency, attributed to the opportunity for preliminary selection of both female (oocytes) and male (spermatozoa) gametes [ 5 ].…”

“…This term comprises all clinical methods used to assist in gaining pregnancy, amongst which the classic in-vitro fertilization (IVF) has the highest efficiency, attributed to the opportunity for preliminary selection of both female (oocytes) and male (spermatozoa) gametes [ 5 ]. Thus, controlled ovarian hyperstimulation can be implemented to increase the number of oocytes available for IVF, while as an integral part of the assisted reproductive technologies, semen processing via gradient density centrifugation and microfluidic sperm-sorting devices, for instance, facilitates the choice of mature spermatozoa [ 4 , 6 ].…”

“…Several procedures are found to be appropriate for alleviating the oxidative stress, DNA damage and decreased sperm motility and, hence, reinforcing the reproductive potential of male gametes. They include an oral intake of antioxidants [ 15 , 16 , 17 ] and pharmacological phosphodiesterase inhibitors [ 18 , 19 , 20 ], precise control of the sexual abstinence period [ 21 , 22 ], microfluidic sperm sorting (MSS) [ 6 , 23 ] and varicoceletomy [ 14 , 24 ]. That said, antioxidant therapy helps to offset the DNA fragmentation, but at the expense of reductive stress due to substantial decrease in the oxidation–reduction ratio [ 14 ].…”

Comparing Clomiphene-Primed Ovarian Stimulation and Mid-Luteal GnRH Agonist Protocols: A Cumulative Live Birth Rate and Cost-Effectiveness Analysis in a Single- Center Retrospective Study with Propensity Score Matching

“…According to epidemiological data, the incidence of infertility is increasing in many countries and regions around the world 1 , including China 2 . Increased chances for education and career advancement, as well as the promotion of effective contraceptive measures, are causing an increasing number of women to choose to have children after the age of 35, which is a major factor contributing to the rise in the incidence of infertility 3 . Age-related fertility decline 4 is an increasing proportion of the causes of assisted reproductive technology.…”

The role of combined diagnostic hysterolaparoscopy in unexplained infertility

“…Female causes are responsible for 40-45% in etiology of infertility. 4 In the USA, it is estimated that 10% of women aged 15 to 44 have trouble getting pregnant or keeping pregnant. Fertility difficulties affect 8 to 12 percent of couples worldwide.…”