What will the future hold for artificial organs in the service of assisted reproduction: prospects and considerations

Assisted reproduction provides a wide spectrum of treatments and strategies addressing infertility. However, distinct groups of infertile patients with unexplained infertility, congenital disorders, and other complex cases pose a challenge in in vitro fertilization (IVF) practices. This special coho...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Frontiers of medicine 2019-12, Vol.13 (6), p.627-638
Main Authors: Simopoulou, Mara, Sfakianoudis, Konstantinos, Tsioulou, Petroula, Rapani, Anna, Giannelou, Polina, Kiriakopoulos, Nikolaos, Pantou, Agni, Vlahos, Nikolaos, Anifandis, George, Bolaris, Stamatis, Pantos, Konstantinos, Koutsilieris, Michael
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animals
artificial gametes
Artificial Organs
artificial ovary
artificial uterus
assisted reproduction
considerations
Female
Fertilization in Vitro - trends
Humans
In vitro fertilization
Infertility
Infertility - therapy
Male
Medicine
Medicine & Public Health
Models, Animal
Reproduction
Review
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Summary:Assisted reproduction provides a wide spectrum of treatments and strategies addressing infertility. However, distinct groups of infertile patients with unexplained infertility, congenital disorders, and other complex cases pose a challenge in in vitro fertilization (IVF) practices. This special cohort of patients is associated with futile attempts, IVF overuse, and dead ends in management. Cutting edge research on animal models introduced this concept, along with the development of artificial organs with the aim to mimic the respective physiological functions in reproduction. Extrapolation on clinical application leads to the future use of infertility management in humans. To date, the successful clinical application of artificial reproductive organs in humans is not feasible because further animal model studies are required prior to clinical trials. The application of these artificial organs could provide a solution to infertility cases with no other options. This manuscript presents an overview on the current status, future prospects, and considerations on the potential clinical application of artificial ovary, uterus, and gametes in humans. This paper presents how the IVF practice landscape may be shaped and challenged in the future, along with the subsequent concerns in assisted reproductive treatments.
ISSN:2095-0217
2095-0225
DOI:10.1007/s11684-019-0697-5