ABSTRACT
In vitro fertilization (IVF) treatment has revolutionized the treatment of infertility and is estimated to have led to more than 6 million births worldwide. However, despite the obvious benefits of IVF, it must be acknowledged that the process remains inefficient. Even after almost four decades of optimization, it is still the case that the majority of embryo transfers fail to produce a pregnancy. The problem worsens with advancing female age, with IVF success rates dropping with ever growing speed after the age of 35 years. The high failure rates are associated with significant financial and psychological costs to patients (1–3).
