"An average of 40 percent of sufferers got a baby after ART procedures and the chance gets slimmer as patients age," she said, adding that the risk of abortions increases for pregnant women older than 35.

Studies show more than 80 percent of women who practice unprotected, regular sex can conceive naturally within a year and those between 23 and 27 years stand the highest chance of conceiving.

At Zhou's department, which is authorized by health authorities to operate in vitro fertilization, patients' ages average 34.

In 2009, more than 2,400 of such operations were practiced and the number has been rising, Zhou said.

"Notably, despite an average cost of 100,000 yuan for ARTs, demand still cannot be met," he said.

"Many are on the waiting list."

Currently China has at least 200 such centers recognized by the Ministry of Health to perform ART procedures, official statistics showed. There were five of the centers in 2001.

Due to limited resources and long waiting lists, a number of infertile couples also turn to underground fertility clinics that are not registered with health administrations.

"Driven by profit, many of these illegal clinics, usually privately owned, administer expensive ART procedures which are actually not necessary for patients," He said.

"The success rate at these clinics is also low, with patients facing potentially adverse, if not serious, medical situations."

Illegal practices like surrogacy are also rampant with the presence of unqualified clinics, Zhou said.

"The government should implement close supervision and heavy penalties to curb these and ensure the safety and rights of patients," he said.

"Limited resources should be optimized to benefit more patients," he said.

Currently, most resources are located in the country's rich eastern cities, the MOH said. Poorer people have little access to ART, which is not covered by medical insurance.

"Information such as the exact number, condition, distribution and personal background of infertile couples nationwide are important for optimizing the resources," he said.