In late June, leaders in reproductive medicine from around the world gathered in Paris for the 2025 European Society for Human Reproduction and Embryology (ESHRE) annual meeting. Among the highlights were two major milestones in global fertility care led by ARC Fertility’s Founder and CEO, Dr. David Adamson.
As Chair of the International Committee for Monitoring Assisted Reproductive Technologies (ICMART), Dr. David Adamson played a central role in two pivotal initiatives at this year’s ESHRE meeting.
First, he chaired the meetings to finalize the next edition of the global glossary of infertility and fertility care terminology, an essential tool for ensuring consistency and clarity in reproductive medicine.
Second, he also served as an invited main speaker to present the preliminary ICMART World Report for 2021, sharing key findings on ART use and outcomes across more than 70 countries.
Together, these contributions highlight not only Dr. Adamson’s leadership on the international stage but also reinforce ARC Fertility’s commitment to advancing inclusive, evidence-based and globally aligned standards in reproductive care.
Building the Language of Global Fertility Care
Dr. Adamson chaired the in-person meeting of the ICMART International Glossary Working Group. The session brought together international experts to finalize updated definitions for more than 300 terms in reproductive medicine. This marks the third major revision of the glossary—previous versions were published in 2006, 2009 and 2017.
The 2017 glossary has been cited more than 2,500 times in the scientific literature and serves as the global reference standard for clinical care, academic research and regulatory policy. This new edition will further align data collection, reporting standards and treatment protocols worldwide, and foundational work that directly shapes how fertility care is measured, delivered and accessed.
Dr. Fernando Zegers-Hochschild of Chile, first author of the glossary and Dr. Silke Dyer of South Africa, Clinical Data Director for the ICMART World Reports, co-led the effort. Together with Dr. Adamson, they represent the global collaboration that underpins the glossary’s success.
Delivering the Numbers That Define the Field
During the main ESHRE program, Dr. Adamson also presented the Preliminary ICMART World Report for 2021, summarizing ART use, outcomes and trends from 77 countries and nearly 3,000 clinics. Despite disruptions from the COVID-19 pandemic, the report captured meaningful trends in safety, access and effectiveness.
Key highlights from the 2021 ICMART Report:
- 475,018 babies born through ART globally in 2021 (down 31.8% from 2019 due to COVID-19).
- 2.5 million ART cycles performed (down 17.2%).
- Multiple birth rates continued to drop thanks to broader adoption of elective single embryo transfer (eSET).
- Frozen embryo transfers showed increased effectiveness and safer outcomes.
- PGT-A usage increased, especially in patients 35 years and older.
Most notably, the cumulative number of infants born through ART from 1978 through 2018 was confirmed at 9.8 to 13 million, with 2024 projections over 15 million globally.
Why This Matters to Employers, Policymakers and Families
Standardized terminology and reliable data reporting are not abstract academic efforts; they are the building blocks of equitable fertility care. These initiatives help governments track access gaps, help clinics improve outcomes and help employers and insurers design meaningful, measurable family-building benefits.
For organizations offering fertility benefits, the ICMART-led Glossary and World Report offer assurance the treatments your employees are accessing are part of a globally recognized system of care.
For patients, the implications are even more personal. Whether starting IVF in Paris, Tokyo or Houston, families should expect care that is consistent, effective and based on transparent, validated outcomes. These efforts bring us closer to that goal.
ARC Fertility: Turning Global Insight Into Action
ARC Fertility is more than a benefits partner. As a physician-founded organization with a national clinic network, ARC plays a leadership role in shaping the future of reproductive care.
Dr. Adamson’s work with ICMART reflects ARC’s core values, science-driven care, equitable access and compassionate support for all family-building journeys. The same commitment underpins ARC’s benefit programs, which include:
- Flexible, inclusive fertility coverage for IVF, egg freezing, donor services and more.
- Cost-effective bundled packages, often 15–40% below market.
- Care navigation support to guide employees through complex medical and emotional decisions.
- No PEPM fees—employers pay only for care used.
With nearly three decades of clinical expertise and a growing national footprint, ARC Fertility continues to bring global standards home, delivering tangible results for employers, families and the future of work.
Looking Ahead
As the field of reproductive medicine continues to evolve, ARC Fertility remains at the forefront—helping to set the definitions, analyze the data and expand access to care.
From Paris to your workforce, the impact of ART is global. ARC Fertility ensures it’s also personal.
Contact us to learn how ARC can help your organization deliver smarter, more inclusive fertility care.
