ACRC at ASRM 2026: What’s New in Fertility Technology and Surrogacy?
What developments in reproductive medicine could shape the future of family building? At the 2026 American Society for Reproductive Medicine Scientific Congress & Expo, ACRC Global connected with doctors and partners, interviewed fertility professionals, and explored new technologies and ideas across the reproductive medicine community.
Held October 24–28, 2026, at the Baltimore Convention Center, ASRM 2026 brought professionals together around the theme of discovery, innovation, and advancement. Its program and exhibition provided opportunities to exchange knowledge across clinical care, laboratory science, reproductive technology, and patient support.
For our team, the experience reinforced how much thoughtful collaboration matters. Behind every developing technology are practical questions about how it may help patients—and behind every family-building journey are people who need clear information and coordinated support.
Here, we share our experience and selected, verified updates published around ASRM 2026, with information current through October 30, 2026.
Event details: ASRM Scientific Congress & Expo.
Connecting With Doctors and Partners at ASRM 2026
One of the most meaningful parts of attending ASRM was spending time with the professionals who help intended parents navigate their options.
Our ACRC team enjoyed reconnecting with existing partners, meeting new colleagues, and exchanging perspectives with doctors and other professionals working throughout reproductive medicine.
We also had the pleasure of interviewing doctors and partners, hearing their perspectives, and learning more about developments within their fields.
These conversations create opportunities to strengthen relationships, identify topics for future educational discussions, and better understand the questions intended parents bring to their fertility journeys.
Thank you to everyone who visited, spoke with us, and shared their time and knowledge. We look forward to continuing these conversations beyond the conference.
What Were the Reproductive Medicine Updates at ASRM 2026?
The news surrounding ASRM 2026 included developments in fertility research, laboratory technology, and gestational carrier practices.
Several areas were particularly relevant to intended parents and the professionals supporting them:
Artificial intelligence applied to sperm recovery research.
Research evaluating personalized embryo-transfer timing.
Emerging approaches to embryo assessment.
Discussion of differences between genetic testing results and clinical outcomes.
A new task force examining gestational carrier practices and protections.
These developments are at different stages. A research award, exploratory presentation, and professional policy initiative each provide different kinds of information. None should automatically be interpreted as a newly established treatment recommendation.
Artificial Intelligence in Fertility Research
Artificial intelligence featured in ASRM’s 2026 scientific awards. The first-place prize paper addressed AI-guided microfluidic sperm recovery in a 175-patient cohort.
This illustrates how AI research in reproductive medicine extends beyond embryo assessment into other laboratory challenges.
However, the awards announcement does not provide enough information to establish the technique’s benefits for an individual patient or its effect on live-birth outcomes.
Source: ASRM Scientific Congress Awards.
For intended parents, the practical question is how a particular application has been evaluated. When discussing an AI-assisted service with a clinic, useful questions include:
What specific task does this technology perform?
Has it been studied in patients with circumstances similar to mine?
What outcomes did the research measure?
How does the clinical team review its results?
Does it involve an additional cost?
The answers help clarify what the technology may contribute to a treatment plan.
Research on Personalized Embryo-Transfer Timing
ASRM’s new RCT Prize Paper recognized a randomized clinical trial comparing endometrial receptivity testing–guided personalized embryo transfer with standard embryo transfer in patients with recurrent implantation failure undergoing euploid embryo transfers.
The award identifies an important research question. The announcement alone does not establish which approach performed better or support recommending the test to every patient.
Source: ASRM Scientific Congress Awards.
A useful discussion with a fertility specialist should focus on the full findings, the population studied, and whether the evidence applies to the proposed treatment—including a gestational carrier cycle where relevant.
Emerging Technology for Embryo Assessment
ASRM’s official innovation preview listed an industry-sponsored session exploring transcriptomics in blastocyst assessment.
Transcriptomics examines RNA activity. Its inclusion highlights interest in additional biological information that might contribute to understanding embryos.
The session was listed as non-CME industry-sponsored programming. Its appearance in the program should not be presented as ASRM endorsement or proof that the approach improves live-birth rates.
Source: ASRM’s Latest Innovations Preview.
When a clinic offers an emerging assessment method, intended parents can ask what it measures, how it changes clinical decisions, and what evidence supports its use.
Genetic Testing Results and Clinical Outcomes
Another industry-sponsored session addressed situations where preimplantation genetic testing results and clinical outcomes diverge, using a multidisciplinary approach to investigate those differences.
The program also included sessions on reproductive equity and ovarian stimulation, alongside an exhibition covering diagnostics, cryobanking, medical equipment, information technology, and other reproductive care services.
These listings describe the scope of discussion at the meeting; they do not establish the effectiveness of every product or service presented.
Source: ASRM’s Latest Innovations Preview.
For patients, this creates an opportunity to ask more precise questions about a proposed test: what it can answer, what uncertainty remains, and how the result will influence care.
New ASRM Task Force to Examine Gestational Carrier Protections
An especially relevant development for the surrogacy community was ASRM’s October 29, 2026 announcement of a new Gestational Carrier Task Force.
Chaired by Sigal Klipstein, MD, the group will examine existing practices and develop recommendations intended to strengthen protections while preserving access to gestational carrier arrangements.
ASRM stated that its work may address education, professional standards, regulatory recommendations, and other safeguards supporting safety, transparency, and ethical practice.
The task force is expected to work into 2027, with a goal of presenting recommendations to ASRM’s Board of Directors by mid-2027. Its formation does not itself introduce new requirements or legislation.
For ACRC, the announcement is relevant to ongoing conversations about informed decision-making and support for everyone involved in a surrogacy journey.
What Do These Developments Mean for Intended Parents?
Our takeaway from reviewing these updates is that progress involves both scientific investigation and careful evaluation of how care is delivered.
Intended parents do not need to assess every conference abstract themselves. They can use these developments as starting points for focused conversations with their medical team.
Before adding a test or technology to a treatment plan, consider asking:
What problem is this intended to address in our case?
What evidence supports its use for us?
Would the result change the treatment plan?
What are the costs and limitations?
What alternatives should we consider?
For those pursuing surrogacy or egg donation, these discussions can also help clarify which decisions belong with the fertility clinic and which require coordination with the agency, genetic counselor, or independent legal professionals.
Continue the Conversation Through Global Doctors
The relationships built at ASRM can lead to further opportunities for education and collaboration.
Through Global Doctors, intended parents can explore a network of IVF clinics, OB/GYNs, and fertility specialists and learn more about participating professionals.
If you are a physician or clinic representative who connected with ACRC at ASRM—or would like to connect with us—we invite you to explore the platform.
Haven’t joined yet? Submit your physician profile to become part of the network.
Explore ACRC’s Fresh Egg Donor Database
Alongside learning about developments in reproductive medicine, intended parents may be taking practical steps toward their own family-building plans.
With new donors joining ACRC’s fresh egg donor database, we invite you to explore the available profiles and speak with our team about your search.
Our team can help you understand the next steps and coordinate with your fertility clinic as you review your options.
Celebrate Milestones With Our Surrogacy Community
Scientific research is one part of the wider family-building experience. Another is the day-to-day progress shared by intended parents, surrogates, and the professionals supporting them.
Our ACRC Weekly Success Stories highlight pregnancy milestones from our community and recognize the people involved in each journey.
We invite you to read these updates and celebrate those meaningful moments with us.
Frequently Asked Questions About ASRM 2026
Where and when was ASRM 2026 held?
The ASRM 2026 Scientific Congress & Expo took place October 24–28, 2026, at the Baltimore Convention Center in Baltimore, Maryland.
What did ACRC do at ASRM 2026?
ACRC connected with doctors and partners, interviewed fertility professionals, exchanged perspectives, and learned about developments in reproductive medicine and technology.
Does a technology presented at ASRM automatically become recommended care?
No. A presentation may describe preliminary research, a commercial service, or a developing approach. Its relevance depends on the evidence and the patient’s circumstances.
Did ASRM announce new surrogacy rules in October 2026?
ASRM announced a Gestational Carrier Task Force on October 29. It will examine practices and develop recommendations. The announcement itself did not create new legislation or final professional requirements.
How can physicians connect with ACRC after the conference?
Physicians and clinics can visit Global Doctors and submit a physician profile to begin connecting with the network.
Keep Moving Forward With ACRC
Thank you to the doctors, partners, and colleagues who made ASRM 2026 such a valuable opportunity to connect and learn.
Whether you are exploring surrogacy, considering egg donation, or interested in professional collaboration, we welcome the opportunity to continue the conversation.
Medical information in this article is educational. Individual treatment decisions should be discussed with a qualified fertility specialist.
About the author:
The most challenging moments are usually when the car lands after a jump. eggy car combines timing and balance in a way that makes improving your distance an interesting goal.