Photobiomodulation (Red Light Therapy) IVF and Assisted Reproductive Technology
Photobiomodulation is the therapeutic use of low-intensity red and near-infrared laser light to influence cellular function. In fertility medicine, photobiomodulation is being explored as a supportive therapy alongside established Assisted Reproductive Technology, including IVF, donor egg IVF, and IUI.
Research in this area is still at an early stage. While photobiomodulation is not part of standard fertility treatment protocols, laboratory studies, pilot clinical trials, and observational case series suggest potential benefits that justify further investigation.
Photobiomodulation and IVF Implantation Support
Successful IVF depends on both embryo quality and endometrial receptivity at the time of embryo transfer. Reduced uterine blood flow, impaired endometrial development, and altered cellular metabolism are recognised contributors to implantation failure.
A single-blinded randomised clinical trial in women with recurrent implantation failure undergoing IVF investigated transabdominal photobiomodulation and reported higher biochemical and clinical pregnancy rates in the treatment group compared with controls, although results were limited by small sample size.
The authors concluded that photobiomodulation demonstrated biological plausibility and supported the need for larger, well-designed IVF studies.
Clinical Case Series Using the GigaLaser with Anne-Marie Jensen
A published clinical case series led by Anne-Marie Jensen examined the use of structured red and near-infrared photobiomodulation protocols in women with complex or treatment-resistant infertility.
In this series, photobiomodulation was delivered using high-coverage laser systems, including the GigaLaser, which is designed to deliver red and near-infrared wavelengths across the pelvic region.
The reported cases involved women with long-standing infertility histories and previous ART failures. Following the integration of photobiomodulation alongside conventional fertility care, the series documented clinical pregnancies and live births.
Read the Report with Anne Marie Jensen
Donor Egg IVF and the Endometrial Environment
In donor egg IVF, embryo quality is typically high, and implantation success is largely dependent on uterine receptivity. Thin endometrium, impaired blood flow, and altered endometrial metabolism are common clinical challenges.
Early observational fertility studies using multi-wavelength red and near-infrared photobiomodulation have reported improved reproductive outcomes in women with previous implantation failure despite good-quality embryos.
While these findings are preliminary, they suggest that photobiomodulation may influence uterine physiology in ways that support implantation, warranting further controlled investigation.
Photobiomodulation and IUI-Related Factors
Direct clinical studies examining photobiomodulation within IUI cycles are currently limited. However, several biological effects relevant to IUI success have been described.
Sperm Motility and Function
In vitro research has shown that red light laser exposure can improve sperm motility and metabolic activity.
A controlled laboratory study demonstrated that exposure to 650 nm red laser light significantly increased progressive sperm motility compared with untreated samples.
A systematic review examining photobiomodulation in male infertility reported consistent improvements in sperm motility and mitochondrial activity across multiple studies.
These findings suggest a potential supportive role for photobiomodulation in relation to sperm quality, although effects on clinical pregnancy outcomes following IUI remain to be established.
Biological Mechanisms Relevant to Reproductive Tissue
The rationale for photobiomodulation in reproductive health is supported by a substantial body of basic science research.
Red and near-infrared light has been shown to stimulate mitochondrial respiratory chain activity, increase ATP production, and modulate reactive oxygen species signalling, all of which are fundamental to cellular energy and viability.
Additional studies have demonstrated improvements in microcirculation and tissue oxygenation following photobiomodulation, providing a plausible physiological basis for its investigation in reproductive tissues.
Experimental models have also shown reduced oxidative stress and improved ovarian function following photobiomodulation exposure.
Summary
Photobiomodulation using red light and near-infrared laser therapy represents a promising but investigational adjunct to Assisted Reproductive Technology. Early research suggests potential supportive effects on implantation, sperm function, and cellular energy metabolism. Devices such as the GigaLaser have been used in observational fertility settings, including the Anne-Marie Jensen case series.
While initial findings are encouraging, photobiomodulation cannot yet be considered an evidence-based component of routine fertility treatment. Further high-quality clinical research is required to define its role and effectiveness.
References
Khorsandi et al.
Effect of photobiomodulation therapy on recurrent implantation failure in IVF patients: a randomised clinical trial.
Journal of Clinical Medicine. 2024.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39051002/Hanna, et al.
Multi-wavelength photobiomodulation therapy in female infertility: a clinical case series with live births.
Journal of Clinical Medicine. 2024.
https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0383/13/23/7101Alves et al.
Effect of low-level red laser irradiation on human sperm motility: an in vitro study.
Lasers in Medical Science. 2023.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36610824/Hamblin MR, et al.
Photobiomodulation and male infertility: a systematic review.
Andrology. 2023.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38028870/de Freitas LF, Hamblin MR.
Mechanisms of photobiomodulation: cellular and mitochondrial responses.
Lasers in Medical Science.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39095677/Chung H, et al.
The nuts and bolts of low-level laser (light) therapy.
Annals of Biomedical Engineering.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37041786/Silveira et al.
Photobiomodulation improves ovarian function by reducing oxidative stress in experimental models.
Lasers in Medical Science.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1011134424001842
