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Time of India
30-07-2025
- Science
- Time of India
'Miracle': After 15 failed IVFs and 19 years of tears, how AI helped a couple finally have a baby
Live Events (You can now subscribe to our (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel It sounds almost unbelievable, but artificial intelligence has just helped a couple get pregnant after 19 long years of failed attempts. Diagnosed with azoospermia, a condition where no sperm are detectable in the ejaculate, the couple had been through 15 heartbreaking IVF failures. But in March this year, their journey took a miraculous turn, thanks to a pioneering AI tool developed by scientists at Columbia University Fertility tool, aptly named Sperm Track and Recovery (STAR), works much like AI systems used by astrophysicists to detect rare stars in the sky, except this one hunts for extremely rare sperm in semen to Dr Zev Williams, the lead researcher and developer of STAR, 'It's like finding a needle not just in a haystack, but in a thousand haystacks.' In an interview with Time Magazine, he explained how the system can locate living sperm that traditional lab techniques often miss, and do so in under two technology combines AI, high-speed imaging and robotics. A fluidic chip is used to flow a semen sample through a small plastic tube. If the AI algorithm detects even a single viable sperm, that portion of the fluid is isolated in a separate tube, ready to be used for fertilisation or frozen for later exactly what happened in this couple's case. Within two hours of collecting the husband's sample, the AI system had not only identified sperm but helped fertilise the wife's eggs. Just a few days later, the fertilised embryo was transferred to her uterus. Four months on, the mother-to-be and the baby are both doing stands out for its ability to detect sperm in cases where even trained embryologists fall short. Dr Williams recalled an internal test where embryologists spent two days analysing a sample and found no sperm. STAR found 44 viable sperm in just an hour. 'They didn't want to be outdone by a machine,' he joked, but the results were gentle, chemical-free method marks a massive leap forward in tackling male infertility, particularly azoospermia, which affects around 1% of all men and is responsible for 10% of male infertility Williams says STAR could soon help redefine possibilities for many men and couples who have lost hope. 'The dream is to develop technologies so that those who are told 'you have no chance of being able to have a child' can now go on to have healthy children,' he told such scientific breakthroughs, it's no longer just wishful thinking, it's becoming from agencies
Time of India
29-07-2025
- Health
- Time of India
After 19 years of trying for a baby, this couple lost hope. But AI made it happen
Artificial intelligence is making swift strides in healthcare in a short time — and now, in a first, it has even helped a couple get pregnant. After 19 years of trying to start a family, with azoospermia (no detectable sperm in ejaculate) and 15 failed IVF cycles, the couple finally became pregnant in March this year after using what is called a Sperm Track and Recovery (STAR) system. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Just like astrophysicists use AI to find new stars, Columbia University Fertility Center researchers developed STAR to detect 'really, really, really rare sperm', the kind lab technicians fail to find in azoospermia samples. 'I liken it to finding a needle hidden within a thousand haystacks. But it can do that in a couple of hours — and so gently that the sperm that we recover can be used to fertilise an egg,' Dr Zev Williams, STAR developer and fertility centre director told Time Magazine. For five years, Williams and his team perfected the system using a sperm-detecting AI algorithm. The process starts with a fluidic chip flowing the semen sample through a small tube on a plastic chip. Once AI confirms sperm presence, that bit of semen is diverted to a separate tube. Whatever few sperm there are in the sample can be isolated in such a way, and either used to fertilise an egg or frozen for later use. That's exactly what Williams and his team did for the couple. Just two hours after collecting the husband's sperm, they got to know the wife's eggs had been successfully fertilised, ready for transfer to the uterus in a few days. The wife is four months pregnant now and both the mother and fetus are doing well. To serve as a test, embryologists analysed a sample for two days but found no sperm. STAR AI found 44 in an hour Dr Zev Williams, director, Columbia University Fertility Center Columbia University Fertility Center says the STAR system is a groundbreaking advancement for men diagnosed with azoospermia, adding, 'This system can detect and retrieve even the smallest numbers of sperm gently and without harsh chemicals or lasers, using cutting-edge AI, high-speed imaging, and robotics.' Tired of too many ads? go ad free now What makes STAR ahead of other AI detecting systems is that it can also successfully isolate the sperm in a semen sample where male infertility is involved. 'As a test, we decided to run samples where embryologists could not find any sperm through the system. The embryologists really worked hard to find sperm, since they didn't want to be outshone by a machine. In one of the samples, they analysed for two days and found no sperm. STAR found 44 in an hour,' says Williams. Azoospermia affects around 1% of all men and accounts for 10% of all male fertility issues. The most common cause of the condition is a blockage in the male reproductive tract. Other causes include genetic conditions, hormonal imbalances, endocrine disorders, radiation therapy, environmental toxins, and drug or alcohol abuse. Williams says azoospermia is one of the many fertility issues that his AI STAR system could find a solution to. 'The dream is to develop technologies so that those who are told 'you have no chance of being able to have a child' can now go on to have healthy children,' he adds. Agencies
India.com
01-07-2025
- Health
- India.com
How AI Helped A Woman Get Pregnant After 19 Years Despite Her Husband's Infertility
For nearly two decades, a couple from New York chased the dream of becoming parents. They tried everything, 15 rounds of IVF, multiple surgeries, top fertility clinics across the world, and still, no success. Doctors gave them the harsh truth: their chances of having a biological child were virtually zero. The reason? The husband suffered from azoospermia, a rare male fertility condition where no sperm is found in the ejaculate. It's a diagnosis that closes the door on natural conception and even complicates assisted reproductive techniques. But just when they were about to give up hope, a game-changing AI technology called STAR (Sperm Track and Recovery) turned their story around. Not only did it find viable sperm that conventional tests couldn't detect, but it also helped the couple achieve what they thought was impossible: a successful IVF cycle. Today, after 19 years, they're expecting their first baby. What Is Azoospermia And Why It's So Hard to Treat? Azoospermia affects about 1 in 100 men and accounts for up to 15% of male infertility cases. It comes in two forms: 1. Obstructive Azoospermia: Blockages prevent sperm from entering semen. 2. Non-Obstructive Azoospermia: The body doesn't produce enough (or any) sperm at all. Causes range from genetics and hormonal imbalances to chemotherapy, radiation, drug use, and exposure to environmental toxins. For years, the only options for couples dealing with azoospermia were donor sperm or highly invasive surgical retrieval, both emotionally and physically taxing alternatives. But now, that narrative is changing. How AI Detected Hidden Sperm in Just One Hour The couple's journey took a turn when they connected with Dr Zev Williams, a leading fertility specialist at Columbia University. He and his team had spent five years developing STAR, a cutting-edge AI tool designed to detect microscopic, previously undetectable sperm in semen samples. 'It's like finding a needle in a thousand haystacks,' Dr Williams said. 'But STAR can do it, and quickly.' Here's how STAR works: 1. Microfluidic chips filter the semen sample. 2. A high-speed scanner captures millions of images per hour. 3. An AI algorithm sifts through every image to spot sperm cells missed by the human eye. The STAR system doesn't just find these sperm, it preserves their quality so they can be used in IVF. And that's exactly what happened in this case. Despite 48 hours of manual examination by lab technicians yielding nothing, STAR found 44 viable sperm in just one hour. That small number was all the couple needed. A Successful IVF Without Additional Procedures Unlike previous IVF cycles that ended in heartbreak, this time the process moved forward with a new sense of optimism. The couple underwent an IVF cycle in March 2025, using the sperm retrieved by STAR. And the result? A successful pregnancy, without needing additional invasive treatments, surgeries, or donor sperm. emphasising the significance, Dr Williams said, "This technology gives hope to people who have been told they have no options. For many, it's life-changing." A Glimpse Into the Future of Fertility Experts are calling this more than just a medical miracle, it's the dawn of a new era in fertility care. AI tools like STAR are poised to transform how we detect, treat, and even understand infertility, especially male-factor cases that have long been overlooked. Dr Williams says, 'There are biological processes we've been blind to. But with AI, we're starting to see the unseen.' With infertility affecting 1 in 6 people globally, according to the World Health Organization, the implications of this breakthrough are massive. Especially for couples who've faced repeated disappointment and felt out of options. From 'No Hope' to New Life The New York couple's story is a powerful reminder that technology and persistence can bring light into even the darkest corners of fertility struggles. AI isn't just transforming machines, it's reshaping human possibility.
Time of India
18-06-2025
- Health
- Time of India
AI helps woman get pregnant after 20 years of failed fertility treatments in historic IVF breakthrough
A New York couple is finally having a baby after almost two decades of failing to conceive a long, emotionally trying, physically draining, and medically frustrating ride. Their story, foiled by 15 failed IVF treatments and consultations from experts on every continent, was redeemed by an AI-based fertility tool designed at Columbia University. It's a breathtaking medical milestone that could change the face of treatment for male infertility globally. The long-awaited pregnancy of the couple is not only a medical success; it's a victory of endurance, ingenuity, and the ability of technology to overcome very intimate kinds of difficulties. For those with apparently insurmountable barriers, this case provides something invaluable: hope. With the help of AI, the era of reproductive health is about to experience a breakthrough period where even the most challenging fertility situations can be addressed not with desperation, but with data, precision, and empathy. AI brings new hope as woman gets pregnant after 20 years of failed IVF by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Order New Blinds Online & Get $199 Home Installation Learn More Undo For the majority of couples, fertility treatments are emotionally and financially exhausting—if not more so when they are unsuccessful time and time again. This couple was no exception. They struggled for nearly 20 years to have a biological child. Even with access to cutting-edge fertility treatment, surgeries, and international consultations, they were consistently given the same message: conception was all but impossible. The fundamental problem was with the husband, whom the doctor diagnosed with azoospermia , a rare but serious condition where no sperm is present in the ejaculate. Introducing STAR: The AI tool revolutionising male infertility treatment Just when hope appeared to be lost, the couple approached Dr. Zev Williams, a fertility specialist at Columbia University , whose team had been developing a cutting-edge technology: Sperm Track and Recovery (STAR). The AI system was developed to identify good sperm in semen samples where previously none were seen. How STAR works: A microfluidic chip filters and isolates constituents in the semen. A high-speed imaging system takes millions of microscopic frames. A machine learning algorithm scrutinizes these images to spot rare, cryptic sperm—even a few viable cells that might be used in IVF. "Finding a needle in a thousand haystacks" is how Dr. Williams described it. "But STAR can accomplish that in a couple of hours. And it's so gentle the sperm it retrieves can still be used to fertilize an egg." AI breakthrough helps couple conceive after 20 years of infertility In this New York couple's situation, standard lab technicians spent two entire days searching through the semen sample, but couldn't locate a single sperm cell. STAR located 44 viable sperm, though, within an hour—a figure large enough to continue with in-vitro fertilization (IVF). Miraculously, the pair did not require further cycles of hormonal treatment or surgery. With the sperm isolated by STAR, the IVF cycle went smoothly in March 2025. It worked—and the pair is now pregnant with their first child. Dr. Williams noted that the case is by no means a fluke. STAR has the potential to overturn fertility treatment, particularly for men with non-obstructive azoospermia. Non-invasive: No surgery is required to look for or retrieve sperm. Accurate: AI can locate what trained experts may not spot. Hope-restoring: For couples informed their chances were "zero," this provides a new avenue. Affects 1 in 6 people worldwide, states the World Health Organization, and male infertility accounts for roughly 50% of these. For many, diagnosis of azoospermia seemed the end of the road until now. Broader future of AI in reproductive health Whereas STAR today solves sperm detection, scientists think AI can revolutionize many other aspects of fertility treatment as well: Detecting high-quality eggs and embryos Being able to predict IVF success rates Tailoring treatment protocols Finding subtle abnormalities in reproductive tissue "There are things happening that we are not aware of now," said Dr. Williams. "But with AI, we can finally observe them." What is Azoospermia: The "hidden" cause of male infertility Azoospermia occurs in about 1 in 100 men and is responsible for 10–15% of male infertility. It exists in two types: Obstructive azoospermia: The testes generate sperm, but it can't be ejaculated because there are blockages in the reproductive system. Non-obstructive azoospermia: The body is not able to produce sperm at all or only in very low amounts. Some common reasons are: Genetic disorders Chemotherapy or radiation therapy Hormonal imbalance Drug abuse or exposure to toxins Structural defects such as varicoceles (dilated veins in the scrotum) Conventional therapies for azoospermia usually include risky operations to harvest sperm directly from the testes or using donor sperm—both of which pose emotional and ethical challenges for most couples. Also Read | Ed Sheeran's wife Cherry Seaborn worked at Deloitte for 10 years; her LinkedIn profile goes viral AI Masterclass for Students. Upskill Young Ones Today!– Join Now
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Business Standard
11-06-2025
- Health
- Business Standard
AI Miracle: First-ever pregnancy using breakthrough infertility tech
Imagine trying to have a baby for nearly 20 years, going through 15 IVF cycles — only to hit roadblock after roadblock. That's exactly the story of a couple from New York, who just had a life-changing breakthrough thanks to a cutting-edge AI system. A Columbia University team, led by Dr Zev Williams, has launched STAR (Sperm Track and Recovery), an AI-powered platform that identifies rare sperm in azoospermia cases. 'If you can look into a sky that's filled with billions of stars and try to find a new one, or the birth of a new star, then maybe we can use that same approach to look through billions of cells and try to find that one specific one we are looking for,' says Dr Williams. In this case, STAR is trained to pick up 'really, really, really rare sperm,' he says. 'I liken it to finding a needle hidden within a thousand haystacks. But it can do that in a couple of hours—and so gently that the sperm that we recover can be used to fertilise an egg.' What is Azoospermia? One of the biggest hurdles in male infertility is called azoospermia — a condition where no sperm is detectable in a semen sample. It can be 'obstructive,' where there is a blockage preventing sperm from entering the ejaculate, or 'nonobstructive' when it is due to decreased sperm production by the testis. Azoospermia affects nearly 1% of the male population and about 10–15% of all males with infertility. Before STAR, the only options were invasive procedures or using donor sperm. Possible causes of azoospermia Genetic conditions Medical treatments — such as chemotherapy or radiation Recreational drug use Varicoceles (enlarged veins in the scrotum) Absence of the vas deferens (on one or both sides) Vasectomy Other less understood causes, including poor testicular development during fetal or childhood stages, or exposure to environmental toxins How does STAR work? This system uses: An AI-powered algorithm A microfluidic chip that filters semen A scanner that processes millions of images per hour to identify even the rarest sperm Dr Williams and his team spent five years building a new system that uses AI to find sperm in samples where none can be seen. The process involves a special chip that moves the semen through a tiny tube. If the AI spots a sperm cell, it redirects that small part of the sample into a separate tube so it can be collected. The few sperm found this way can then be frozen, stored, or used to fertilise an egg. The breakthrough moment Technicians scanned samples for 48 hours straight and found virtually nothing. But in just one hour, STAR identified 44 viable sperm samples — enough for IVF. The couple had done everything: overseas experts, surgery, chemical treatments. Nothing helped. The husband's azoospermia had defied treatment via surgery, overseas experts, and chemical prep. However, STAR proved there were sperm, just hidden deep. They used it during a regular IVF cycle, and by March 2025, it resulted in a successful fertilisation. For the couple, using STAR did not require any additional testing or procedures; their successful cycle in March proceeded no differently than any of the other IVF cycles they had experienced. A wider future for AI in fertility care STAR isn't just a one-time solution — it opens doors for AI to revolutionise fertility diagnostics and treatments. Dr Williams adds that azoospermia is only one of many infertility issues that AI could address. 'There are things going on that we are blind to right now. But with the introduction of AI, we are being shown what those things are. The dream is to develop technologies so that those who are told 'you have no chance of being able to have a child' can now go on to have healthy children.'
