ESHRE 2026: What the Latest Fertility Research Means for Intended Parents, IVF and Surrogacy

ESHRE 2026: The Fertility Research Every Intended Parent Should Know

The 42nd Annual Meeting of the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology (ESHRE 2026) brought together thousands of fertility specialists, reproductive endocrinologists, embryologists, researchers and family-building professionals from around the world to share the latest advances in reproductive medicine.

As a global leader in international surrogacy, ACRC Global Surrogacy was proud to attend ESHRE 2026 in London, meeting with fertility clinics, physicians, researchers and reproductive medicine experts to ensure our intended parents and surrogates continue to benefit from the latest evidence-based care.

Every year, research presented at ESHRE helps shape the future of:

• IVF treatment

• Embryology

• Fertility preservation

• Egg donation

• Male fertility

• Reproductive genetics

• International family building

• Gestational surrogacy

This year's findings reinforce something we've always believed:

The future of family building is becoming safer, more personalized and more successful than ever before.

Here's what stood out from ESHRE 2026 and what it means for intended parents considering IVF or surrogacy.

1. Modern IVF Is More Successful Than Ever

One of the largest IVF studies presented at ESHRE followed more than 18,000 women undergoing their first IVF cycle.

Researchers reported:

• 68.2% cumulative live birth rate across three IVF cycles

• 95% of embryo transfers used a single embryo

• Multiple birth rate reduced to only 2.9%

This represents a dramatic improvement compared with IVF outcomes from previous decades.

Researchers attribute these improvements to:

• Better embryo culture

• Blastocyst transfer

• Improved embryo freezing (vitrification)

• Freeze-all protocols

• Enhanced laboratory technology

What This Means for Intended Parents

Modern IVF no longer requires transferring multiple embryos to achieve excellent success rates.

Today, fertility specialists can maximise pregnancy outcomes while significantly reducing the risks associated with twins or higher-order multiple pregnancies.

For intended parents pursuing surrogacy, these advances contribute to healthier pregnancies for both surrogate and baby.

2. Lower IVF Costs Could Help Millions Build Families

Another major international study examined fertility treatment across 22 countries.

Researchers discovered something remarkable:

Reducing patient costs by 50% could increase successful births through assisted reproduction by 2.67 times.

Countries with better funding—including:

• Japan

• South Korea

• Spain

consistently showed much higher access to fertility care.

Researchers concluded that insurance coverage and public funding have one of the greatest impacts on helping people become parents.

Why This Matters

Unfortunately, fertility treatment remains financially out of reach for many families worldwide.

At ACRC Global, we believe intended parents deserve transparent guidance when planning their fertility journey, whether through IVF, egg donation or international surrogacy.

Our team works closely with families to help them understand programme options, expected timelines and financial planning before they begin.

3. Age Still Matters—Even with Donor Eggs

One of the most talked-about studies challenged the common belief that donor eggs completely eliminate age-related pregnancy challenges.

Researchers analysed more than 2,700 donor egg embryo transfers.

They found:

• Live birth rates declined after age 49

• Miscarriage rates increased

• Changes within the uterus itself appear to influence implantation

The study suggests that while donor eggs remain highly successful, maternal age still affects pregnancy outcomes.

What This Means

Every fertility journey is unique.

Age is just one of many factors fertility specialists consider when developing an individual treatment plan.

That's why personalised medical guidance remains essential throughout every IVF and surrogacy journey.

4. Frozen Embryo Transfer Continues to Lead IVF Success

Europe reported more than:

• 1.15 million assisted reproductive treatment cycles

• 247,000 births

• Nearly 43% of all cycles using frozen embryo transfer (FET)

Frozen embryo transfer also achieved the highest delivery rates while maintaining historically low multiple pregnancy rates.

Why Frozen Embryos Matter

Many intended parents pursuing surrogacy already have frozen embryos.

Today's research continues to demonstrate that frozen embryo transfer is a safe, effective and widely used approach across leading fertility centres worldwide.

5. Pregnancy Loss Deserves Greater Attention

Researchers reviewing two decades of healthcare data in England found increasing hospital admissions for:

• Miscarriage

• Ectopic pregnancy

The findings also highlighted significant health inequalities affecting women in disadvantaged communities.

Why This Research Matters

Pregnancy loss affects millions of families and deserves greater awareness, funding and compassionate care.

At ACRC Global, we understand that many intended parents come to surrogacy after years of unsuccessful fertility treatment, repeated miscarriages or medical conditions that make pregnancy impossible.

Supporting families emotionally is just as important as supporting them medically.

6. Air Pollution May Influence Male Fertility

One of the largest male fertility studies examined more than 2,000 men.

Researchers found exposure to:

• Ozone

• Nitrogen dioxide

was associated with changes in sperm DNA methylation—a process that influences how genes function.

Scientists believe environmental factors may affect fertility as well as early embryo development.

Supporting Male Fertility

Although more research is needed, these findings reinforce the importance of:

• Healthy lifestyle choices

• Minimising environmental toxin exposure where possible

• Early fertility testing for both partners

Male fertility plays an equally important role in successful IVF treatment.

7. Environment May Matter More Than Lifestyle for Sperm Health

A separate study comparing men across Spain found major regional differences in sperm quality despite similar:

• Diet

• Exercise

• Smoking rates

• Lifestyle habits

Researchers believe environmental exposures may explain much of the variation.

The Bigger Picture

Fertility is influenced by far more than age alone.

Medical history, genetics, environment and reproductive health all contribute to treatment outcomes.

This is why comprehensive fertility evaluations remain so important before beginning IVF or surrogacy.

8. Public Support for Fertility Treatment and Surrogacy Continues to Grow

One of the most encouraging reports released during ESHRE surveyed nearly 9,000 people across:

• United Kingdom

• Spain

• Netherlands

• Italy

The findings showed broad public support for:

• State-funded fertility treatment

• Embryo research

• Responsible genome editing for serious diseases

• Continued scientific advancement

Perhaps most significantly for intended parents:

In every country surveyed, more people supported legal surrogacy than opposed it.

This reflects a growing recognition that surrogacy has become an important pathway to parenthood for families who cannot carry a pregnancy themselves.

Why Staying Current with Fertility Research Matters

At ACRC Global, education is one of our core commitments.

By attending international conferences like ESHRE 2026, our team stays informed about:

• Advances in IVF technology

• Embryology innovations

• Fertility preservation

• Reproductive genetics

• International surrogacy best practices

• Emerging medical research

• Global fertility trends

These insights help us collaborate with leading fertility specialists and provide intended parents with evidence-based guidance throughout every stage of their journey.

Because reproductive medicine continues to evolve rapidly, staying connected to the latest research allows us to support families with the highest standards of care.

Building Families with Confidence

Whether you're considering surrogacy in the United States, exploring international family-building options, or beginning your first IVF journey, having experienced professionals by your side makes all the difference.

At ACRC Global, we've helped more than 1,300 families from around the world navigate complex fertility journeys with personalised guidance, experienced case management and trusted partnerships with leading fertility clinics.

As reproductive medicine continues to advance, we're committed to bringing those innovations directly to the families we serve.

Schedule Your Free Consultation

If you're exploring surrogacy, egg donation or IVF, our experienced team is here to help.

Book your confidential consultation today:

https://www.acrcglobal.com/schedule-a-free-consultation

ESHRE 2026

Frequently Asked Questions

What is ESHRE?

ESHRE (European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology) is one of the world's leading professional organisations dedicated to fertility, IVF, embryology and reproductive medicine. Its annual scientific meeting showcases the latest research shaping fertility care worldwide.

Why does ACRC Global attend ESHRE?

ACRC Global attends international conferences such as ESHRE to stay informed about the latest developments in fertility treatment, IVF, reproductive genetics and surrogacy, helping us provide evidence-based guidance to intended parents.

Does single embryo transfer reduce IVF success?

No. Research presented at ESHRE 2026 shows modern IVF achieves excellent success rates using single embryo transfer while significantly reducing the risks associated with multiple pregnancies.

Is frozen embryo transfer effective?

Yes. Frozen embryo transfer (FET) is now one of the most common and successful IVF techniques worldwide, with excellent pregnancy and live birth outcomes.

Does age still matter when using donor eggs?

Yes. Although donor eggs greatly improve pregnancy chances, research suggests uterine age may still influence implantation, miscarriage risk and live birth rates, particularly after age 49.

How can I learn more about surrogacy?

Schedule a free consultation with ACRC Global to discuss your fertility history, family-building goals and available surrogacy programmes with our experienced team.

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