AI Detects Hidden Sperm: Columbia STAR System Helps Couple Conceive After 18 Years

Researchers at Columbia University Fertility Center have developed an advanced artificial intelligence (AI) system that has helped a couple conceive after nearly 18 years of infertility struggles. The technology offers new hope to men diagnosed with azoospermia, a condition where no sperm are detectable in semen and which affects approximately 1% of men worldwide.

The innovative system, called STAR (Sperm Tracking and Recovery), combines AI algorithms, high-speed imaging, and robotics to locate and retrieve even the smallest number of viable sperm cells. The technology captures an astonishing 8 million microscopic frames per hour, allowing it to identify sperm that might otherwise remain undetected. Once found, a microfluidic mechanism gently isolates and retrieves the sperm, providing a less invasive alternative to traditional methods that often involve painful surgical procedures or harsh chemicals.

“It’s like finding a needle scattered across a thousand haystacks,” said Dr. Zev Williams, head of the Columbia University Fertility Center. He noted that in one trial, STAR successfully found 44 sperm in under an hour, whereas lab technicians had previously searched the same sample for two days without success.

The first real-world success of STAR came in March 2025. A couple who had endured multiple failed IVF attempts and received a diagnosis of azoospermia turned to the technology as a last resort. Using STAR, doctors located three viable sperm, which were then used for in vitro fertilization (IVF). The procedure led to a successful embryo implantation, and the woman is now approximately five months pregnant, marking the first pregnancy achieved with the help of this pioneering system.

Medical experts believe the technology could revolutionize reproductive medicine. STAR offers a non-invasive, chemical-free alternative to surgical sperm retrieval methods like testicular sperm extraction (TESE). Furthermore, it has the potential to reduce costs; while STAR adds about $3,000 to the IVF process, this remains relatively minor compared to total IVF expenses that can exceed $30,000.

“It’s a promising supplementary tool,” said Dr. Robert Brannigan of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine. However, he advises cautious optimism until further clinical trials confirm STAR’s widespread effectiveness.

Looking ahead, Dr. Williams envisions expanding STAR’s applications beyond severe infertility cases. Future uses could include selecting the healthiest sperm for broader IVF procedures and enhancing embryo and egg assessment through advanced AI analysis.

The success of Columbia University’s AI-powered STAR system represents a pivotal step forward in reproductive medicine. For countless couples struggling with male infertility, it offers renewed hope that parenthood might finally be within reach.