Automation of Frozen Semen Storing System using Barcodes in Assisted Fertility Centres.

The rise in the use of assisted reproductive technology (ART) is ascribed to a global infertility incidence of 8-12%. The ART industry is expected to reach USD 45 billion by 2025, owing to rising demand for gamete preservation. This need extends beyond cisgender people to gender nonconforming people. The human sperm bank industry was worth ${\$}4.33$ billion in 2019 and is expected to grow to ${\$}5.45$ billion by 2026. Despite this expansion, ART has increased in concern about gamete mix-up in centres. To address this, a study aimed to automate cryopreserved semen storage using barcodes. Comparative analysis of conventional and barcode storage included retrieval efficiency, data accuracy, sample integrity, human error reduction, and durability. Barcode storage outperformed conventional storage in retrieval efficiency (95% vs. 75%) and data accuracy (3% vs. 15%). Sample integrity rates were similar (87% vs. 84%), but barcode storage notably reduced human errors (4.3% vs. 16%). Barcode labels exhibited durability comparable to traditional storage (93% vs. 90%). These findings highlight the potential of automated barcodes to enhance reproductive procedures, ensure patient safety, and mitigate errors in gamete handling, addressing the increasing demand for ART.