IVF Modeling, Optimal Control, and Customized Drug Treatment: Results of First Clinical Trial

In-vitro fertilization (IVF) is the most common technique in assisted reproductive technology and most cases the last resort for infertility treatment. It has four basic stages: superovulation, egg retrieval, insemination/fertilization and embryo transfer. Superovulation is a drug induced method to enable multiple ovulation per menstrual cycle. The success of IVF majorly depends upon successful superovulation, defined by the number and uniform high quality of eggs retrieved in a cycle. In the earlier part of our research, we have created theoretical framework for customized modeling of superovulation for each patient depending on first two days of cycle data. The models then can be used to customize optimal drug treatment (hormonal doses each day) for each patient. Optimal control theory is used to find customized optimal drug treatment. In this paper, we have carried out the first clinical double blind trial with customized doses predicted by the theory and doses specified by the IVF specialist doctor. We present case reports of six patients in this paper.