After 18 years of infertility, a couple is expecting a baby thanks to AI-powered STAR method that finds hidden sperm in rare male infertility cases.
Breakthrough After Years of Heartache
After nearly two decades of failed fertility treatments, a couple is finally expecting their first child—thanks to artificial intelligence. The pregnancy marks the first successful use of a new AI-based method to overcome a rare male infertility condition known as azoospermia, where no sperm are detectable in semen.
Innovative Technology Used at Columbia
The couple turned to Columbia University Fertility Center in New York, where Dr. Zev Williams and his team developed the STAR method—short for Sperm Tracking and Recovery. The AI system scans semen samples using a high-powered microscope, capturing over 8 million images in an hour to identify even the most elusive sperm cells.
How the System Works
The STAR system connects to a microscope via a high-speed camera and identifies viable sperm—sometimes only two or three in a sample. It then isolates each one into a droplet of fluid, making them available for in vitro fertilization (IVF). In this case, the AI located three hidden sperm, which led to a successful fertilization and pregnancy. The baby is due in December 2025.
Minimal Side Effects, Major Hope
Unlike other procedures that involve harsh chemicals or lasers, the STAR method is non-invasive. “It’s like finding a needle in thousands of haystacks—without damaging it,” said Williams. Side effects are rare, and the AI method amplifies human expertise rather than replacing it.
A Game-Changer in Male Fertility
Azoospermia affects up to 10% of infertile men, yet it often goes undiagnosed because traditional tests can’t detect hidden sperm. Dr. Williams said that even after two days of manual examination, embryologists found nothing—yet the STAR system located 44 sperm in one sample within an hour.
Broader Impacts Across Fertility Care
Experts in the fertility field say AI is transforming how reproductive medicine is practiced. From assessing egg quality to embryo selection, AI tools are enhancing accuracy and personalization in IVF treatments. “AI is helping us see what our eyes can’t,” said Dr. Aimee Eyvazzadeh, a California-based reproductive endocrinologist.
Questions of Validation and Access
Despite its promise, some experts urge caution. Dr. Gianpiero Palermo of Weill Cornell Medicine—who pioneered sperm injection into eggs—said the method still needs more validation. He also cautioned that some men simply may not have any viable sperm, regardless of how advanced the search technology is.
The Road Ahead
Currently available only at Columbia, the STAR method costs under $3,000 and may soon be made available to other fertility clinics through published research. “Infertility is an ancient challenge,” said Williams, “and now we’re using the most advanced tools to overcome it.”
For the couple who had nearly given up hope, the breakthrough is life-changing. “I still can’t believe I’m pregnant,” the wife said. “Every scan is a miracle.”
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