Assisted Reproduction techniques in Greece - B.Tarlatzis ( Greece)
Local scientific organiser for the Conference and a professor at the Aristotele University of Thessaloniki, Greece, Basil.Tarlatzis,
describes developments in assisted reproduction in his country, which also hosted the symposium.
Predictors of IVF outcome - C.Alviggi (Italy)
Despite the introduction of new drugs enabling the development of a variety of stimulation protocols, many patients worldwide
currently receive identical treatment. Predictive biomarkers could be used to facilitate treatment decisions and to tailor
therapy to increase the chances of achieving pregnancy. Stimulation burden and cancellation rates as well as treatment-related
complications, such as multiple pregnancies and ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome, could also be reduced.
The pediatrician's point of view : baby born after ART, complications and future - M. Bonduelle (Belgium)
Producing more oocytes decreases genetic quality?- F.Fiorentino (Italy)
Several studies have reported higher oocyte yields being associated with an increased chromosome error rate and increased incidence of aneuploidy in resulting embryos. A recent retrospective analysis using comparative genomic hybridization (CGH) to screen the entire chromosome complement of 2469 embryos from 496 patients, found that in women aged <40 years, embryos from high oocyte-yields (>10 oocytes) were associated with an increased aneuploidy rate, compared with intermediate- (6–10 oocytes) and low-yields (1–5 oocytes). However, in women aged >40 years, high rates of chromosomal abnormalities detected in embryos appeared to be due mainly to the maternal age effect and increased only slightly with oocyte yield.
Definition of successful treatments in ART - G.Kovacs (Australia)
Life table analysis gives the best estimate of probable long term outcome. It takes into consideration what may happen to those couples who have not yet completed their treatment cycles.This was first described by Peto et al to analyse survival after cancer treatment.
Producing more oocytes does not decrease genetic quality - S.Munne (USA)
One randomised study in 95 patients shows that mild stimulation produces higher euploidy rates but the same number of euploid embroyos than regular stimulation. PGSv2 significantly improves pregnancy outcomes especially for people over 35.
Sperm evaluation using mRNA microarray technology: future perspectives - N. Garrido Puchalt (Spain)
Basic sperm analysis has limited predictive value to forecast success in either natural or assisted conception. Several molecular factors within sperm cells have been linked to either fertility or infertility. In addition, sperm cell dysfunction seems to be a complex issue, depending on several molecular elements.It is possible using microarray technology to determine cell or tissue expression profiles, enabling comparison of two different biological conditions.
Technologies needed to maximise success: the future ART laboratory - L.Rienzi (Italy)
The development of objective biomarkers for the selection of gametes and embryos is essential in order to improve rates of
implantation, pregnancy and healthy delivery. Laboratory techniques, including culture media systems and cryopreservation
programmes, must be optimized and standardized. Combination of technologies and greater automation are likely to play key
The uterine environment and endometrial receptivity: new frontiers of ART - C.Simón (Spain)
The endometrium is a hormonally regulated organ that is non-adhesive to embryos throughout most of the human menstrual cycle. Endometrial receptivity refers to a hormone-limited period in which the endometrial tissue acquires a functional and transient ovarian steroid-dependent status allowing blastocyst adhesion. Functional genomic studies of the human endometrium in natural cycles havedemonstrated that endometrial receptivity is anactive process involving up- and down-regulation of hundreds of genes.
Can different ovarian stimulation protocols affect oocyte and embryo morphology and quality? - A.Sunde (Norway)
Future strategies for ART: cumulative pregnancy rates - A.Sunde (Norway)
Success criteria after ART are not universal. They may not be the same from the perspectives of patients , the ART clinics
or the health providers.
Management of complications: new strategy to avoid OHSS - J.A. Garcia-Velasco (Spain)
Several strategies can be taken to avoid ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) including cancelling cycles in patients at serious risk of developing OHSS; considering down regulation with a GnRH antagonist and the use of a GnRH agonist to trigger final oocyte maturation ( in patients with a high response who are not at serious risk of OHSS); and controlled ovarian stimulation on the endometrium,to avoid early or late onset OHSS and the deleterious effect of aggressive controlled ovarian stimulation on the endometrium,vitrify oocytes/embryos and delay embryo transfer.
The patient's point of view: a take-home baby- K.Veness (UK)
One patient's personal experience of the IVF process