New Tool Predicts Which Infertility Treatment to use

[Angel]

A new tool developed at the University of Iowa helps experts better predict outcomes of specific infertility treatments, allowing the doctor to choose the treatment method most likely to help the couple achieve pregnancy.

The computation model, created by Moshe Wald, M.D., an assistant professor of urology at the UI Roy J. and Lucille A Carver College of Medicine in Iowa City, applies when a woman's own eggs can be used for an advanced form of in vitro fertilization (IVF), intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). The model takes into consideration the woman's age, factors that cause the man's infertility, the choice of three different sperm retrieval methods and the choice of using fresh or frozen eggs.

Dr. Wald says the model was designed because it is difficult to predict whether pregnancy will be achieved for couples when different factors are at play. Physicians needed a technique to help them plan the best approach and counsel the patients appropriately so he developed the computation to do just that. To use the model, physicians complete an online form and receive an automatic assessment.

The computational response can help experts decide which of the three methods is best to use for sperm retrieval in a particular setting, and whether it may make a difference if fresh or frozen surgically removed sperm is used. For example, if either type is likely to produce the same outcome, the doctor may choose to use frozen because it is more convenient.

"The model takes into consideration both the woman's and man's factors and integrates all the various parameters to give a certain prediction," Dr. Wald says. He also notes the model is not designed for direct use by couples seeking fertility assistance, especially because some of the information required to use the model is technical and not available to the lay public.