IVF News

Training Batch Schedule June 2025 

Batch - VI :    02nd  to  16th June

The International School of Embryology a unit of Chennai Fertility Centre and Research Institute was established to offer training in Advanced Reproductive Techniques and Embryology for clinicians and embryologists. It will help them to know in-depth knowledge and have good hands-on training. The members of our teaching faculty aim to bring Clinician and Embryologists to the highest level of knowledge about Assisted Reproductive Technology and practical capability.

Our courses cover basics in Andrology, Embryology, ICSI & Cryosciences (Hands-on).

Limited Seats. For admission Contact  9003111598 / 8428278218 

In February 2025, Grace Davidson, a 36-year-old NHS dietitian from North London, made history by giving birth to her daughter, Amy Isabel, at Queen Charlotte’s and Chelsea Hospital in London. This event marked the first successful birth in the UK following a womb transplant, a procedure that offers new possibilities for women born without a uterus or those who have lost it due to medical conditions.

Davidson was diagnosed in her teens with Mayer-Rokitansky-Küster-Hauser (MRKH) syndrome, a rare congenital disorder affecting approximately one in every 5,000 women, characterized by the absence or underdevelopment of the uterus. Despite having functional ovaries, the lack of a womb meant she could not carry a pregnancy. In a remarkable act of sisterly love, her older sister, Amy Purdie, donated her uterus in 2023, leading to a successful transplant performed at the Oxford Transplant Centre.

Prior to the transplant, Davidson and her husband, Angus, underwent fertility treatments to create and freeze embryos. Following the transplant, one of these embryos was implanted into the donated womb, resulting in a successful pregnancy. The baby, named Amy Isabel in honor of both her aunt and transplant surgeon Isabel Quiroga, was delivered via planned cesarean section, weighing approximately 4.5 pounds.

This medical breakthrough is the culmination of over 25 years of research led by Professor Richard Smith, a consultant gynecological surgeon at Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust. The procedure was part of a program funded by the charity Womb Transplant UK, which has facilitated four womb transplants to date, including three from deceased donors. The program has approval for up to 15 transplants, aiming to expand options for women facing uterine infertility.

Globally, more than 100 womb transplants have been performed, resulting in over 50 live births. The UK’s entry into this field represents a significant advancement in reproductive medicine, providing an alternative to surrogacy and adoption for women with uterine factor infertility. The success of Davidson’s case has already inspired hundreds of women to express interest in the program, with many volunteering as potential donors.

Looking ahead, Davidson and her husband hope to have a second child before the transplanted womb is removed, a standard procedure to eliminate the need for lifelong immunosuppressive therapy. The couple’s journey not only fulfills their personal dream of parenthood but also paves the way for future developments in fertility treatments, offering renewed hope to countless women worldwide.

Sources

7 April 2025. Womb Transplant UK

• 'A little miracle': First baby born in UK to woman with transplanted womb

7 April 2025. NHS Imperial College Healthcare

• First UK birth following womb transplant

7 April 2025. The Independent

• Surgeons behind pioneering womb transplant 'shed tears' at delivery of miracle baby Amy

7 April 2025. The Guardian

• Woman becomes first UK womb transplant recipient to give birth

In a historic milestone for reproductive medicine, scientists have completed the first known human testicular stem cell transplant aimed at restoring fertility in a male childhood cancer survivor. The procedure, performed at the University of Pittsburgh, involved reimplanting spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs) that had been cryopreserved from the patient’s own testicular tissue more than a decade earlier. This breakthrough highlights the potential to revive sperm production lost due to chemotherapy or radiation—treatments that frequently cause permanent infertility in young boys.

The patient, Jaiwen Hsu, was just 11 years old when he was diagnosed with osteosarcoma. Knowing the aggressive treatment would likely destroy his future ability to produce sperm, his parents enrolled him in an experimental tissue cryopreservation program. Now 24, Hsu became the first person to undergo a procedure that reintroduced his thawed SSCs into his testis, with the goal of jumpstarting spermatogenesis.

Though successful in animal models, this approach is still in its infancy for human use. Preliminary findings suggest that the transplant was safe and did not damage testicular tissue. However, it remains unclear whether the cells will fully mature into functional sperm. Standard semen analyses may not be sufficient to detect early-stage success, and techniques such as microdissection testicular sperm extraction (mTESE) may be needed to confirm whether viable sperm are present for use in assisted reproduction.

Parallel efforts are also underway in Europe. Researchers in Belgium have reimplanted cryopreserved immature testicular tissue in another childhood cancer survivor—this time using tissue stored for 16 years. The goal remains the same: to regenerate sperm-producing cells and eventually achieve biological parenthood. These initiatives are part of a broader, global push to provide fertility options for prepubertal boys who do not yet produce sperm and thus cannot benefit from traditional sperm banking.

These techniques, while promising, are still considered experimental. Safety remains the top priority, especially when considering long-term genetic implications and the risk of reintroducing malignant cells. Ethical concerns surrounding pediatric consent and the unknowns of experimental reproductive medicine are also being discussed within the scientific and medical communities.

Nonetheless, the field of fertility preservation is rapidly evolving. What once seemed like science fiction is becoming an achievable reality. For survivors like Jaiwen Hsu, this progress represents not just a scientific achievement, but a deeply personal opportunity: the chance to build a family in the future, using his own biological sperm. As research continues and techniques are refined, testicular stem cell transplants may soon become a standard offering for young boys facing fertility loss from life-saving cancer treatments.

Sources

26 March 2025. medRxiv

• Ultrasound-guided rete testis approach to sperm aspiration and spermatogonial stem cell transplantation in patients with azoospermia

28 March 2025. The Independent

• Boys with cancer can face infertility as adults. Can storing their stem cells help?

28 March 2025. Wired

• Sperm stem cells were used for the first time in an attempt to restore fertility

2 April 2025. Cancer Health

• Can stem cells restore fertility in men who had childhood cancer?

Click here for registration

Click here https://pages.razorpay.com/pl_PPRCY7Ox6zwLoY/view

The Center for Healthcare Entrepreneurship (CfHE), IIT Hyderabad, in collaboration with STECH IVF Solutions and ZY-QUEST Global, is pleased to announce three specialized certificate courses in the domain of Assisted Reproductive Technologies.

These intensive, hands-on training programs are designed for professionals seeking to enhance their clinical and laboratory expertise.

🔹 Course Offerings:
1. Certificate Course in Basic Andrology
📅 May 11–13, 2025
Designed for lab technicians and early-career embryologists
Fee: ₹20,000 (inclusive of training materials)

2. Certificate Course in ICSI – Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection
📅 May 17–21, 2025
Ideal for professionals with prior gamete handling experience
Fee: ₹60,000 (inclusive of training materials)

3. Certificate Course in Vitrification of Oocytes and Embryos
📅 May 22–23, 2025
Suited for mid-level embryologists focusing on cryopreservation
Fee: ₹30,000 (inclusive of training materials)

📍 Venue: IIT IVF Skill Development Centre, IIT Hyderabad

Accommodation: Available at IIT Guest House (subject to availability)

Contact: +91 9032316632
Email: [email protected]

📌 Seats are limited. Scan the QR code on the respective posters to register and confirm your participation.

Note: If you are a student or a group of participants interested in attending, please reach out to us directly. We offer special discounts for eligible applicants.

We look forward to welcoming the next cohort of professionals committed to advancing excellence in reproductive healthcare.
 

An Examination of Patient Experiences and the Need for Enhanced Communication in UK Fertility ServicesThe Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) recently released its 2024 National Patient Survey, offering a comprehensive overview of patient experiences within the UK’s fertility treatment landscape. The survey, encompassing responses from 1,500 individuals, reveals that 73% of fertility patients expressed satisfaction with their most recent treatment. This marks the third consecutive survey where satisfaction levels have exceeded 70%, indicating a consistent trend over the past decade. Notably, patients in the North East of England reported the highest satisfaction rates at 86%, while those in Wales reported the lowest at 68%. 

Despite these positive overall figures, the survey highlights significant disparities among different demographic groups. Satisfaction levels among Asian and Black patients were notably lower, at 50% and 59% respectively. These groups also reported less satisfaction with the quality of information provided by clinics, with 66% of Asian and Black patients expressing contentment, compared to 78% overall. The HFEA suggests that these disparities may be linked to lower birth rates and reduced access to NHS-funded treatments within these communities. 

The survey also sheds light on the concerning prevalence of unproven add-on treatments in fertility care. Approximately 73% of patients reported using at least one additional test, treatment, or emerging technology during their fertility journey. Commonly utilized add-ons include acupuncture, supplements, and additional medications, many of which lack substantial evidence supporting their efficacy in enhancing fertility outcomes. These extras can be costly, with some treatments reaching up to £1,500. Alarmingly, only 52% of patients had the effectiveness of these add-ons explained to them, and a mere 37% were informed about potential risks. 

Julia Chain, Chair of the HFEA, expressed concern over these findings, emphasizing the need for clinics to provide clear and comprehensive information about the efficacy, costs, and risks associated with additional treatments. The HFEA’s Code of Practice mandates that clinics must offer patients a transparent understanding of any treatment add-on, including its likelihood of increasing the chance of a successful pregnancy. Despite ongoing efforts since 2017 to reduce the use of unproven extras, their prevalence remains high, underscoring the necessity for improved communication and patient education. 

The survey further revealed that NHS-funded patients are experiencing longer wait times before commencing treatment. Only 35% of these patients began treatment within a year of consulting their GP, compared to 53% of self-funded patients. This disparity highlights ongoing challenges in the provision of timely fertility care within the NHS framework. 

In response to these insights, the HFEA aims to address these disparities and enhance patient experiences by advocating for equitable access to fertility treatments, ensuring transparent communication regarding treatment options, and promoting the provision of evidence-based care. The findings from the 2024 National Patient Survey serve as a crucial tool in informing policy and guiding improvements within the UK’s fertility services.

Sources:

26 March 2025. HFEA

• Fertility patients' satisfaction with treatment is high but room for improvement remains, says HFEA

26 March 2025. HFEA

• National Patient Survey 2024

26 March 2025. BBC News

• Fertility patients sold unproven add-ons, HFEA says

In a significant move, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has initiated extensive layoffs, leading to the elimination of approximately 10,000 positions across various health agencies, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). This decision has particularly impacted the CDC’s team dedicated to infertility research and assisted reproductive technologies, effectively disbanding the group responsible for tracking in vitro fertilization (IVF) cycles and maintaining related databases. 

The disbandment of this specialized team has raised alarms among reproductive health advocates and medical professionals. Barbara Collura, president and CEO of the national infertility group RESOLVE, expressed concern over the absence of experts to inform public policy, brief Congress, and advance public awareness on infertility causes and treatments. The sudden loss of such expertise poses challenges for ongoing and future initiatives aimed at addressing infertility, a condition affecting one in six individuals worldwide. 

These layoffs are part of a broader reorganization plan within HHS, which aims to reduce the department’s workforce by approximately 20,000 employees. The restructuring includes merging several agencies into a new entity, the Administration for a Healthy America, and reorienting the CDC’s focus toward infectious disease programs. Critics argue that such significant cuts will severely impact the department’s capacity to respond to public health crises and maintain essential services. 

The implementation of these layoffs has been marked by confusion and lack of transparency. Many employees reportedly discovered their termination only when their entry badges failed to grant access to their workplaces. Long lines formed at federal building entrances due to increased security measures, and senior leaders were reassigned to distant locations, prompting some to leave voluntarily. This chaotic process has left many professionals feeling betrayed and uncertain about their futures. 

Beyond infertility research, other critical public health programs have been affected. For instance, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) faced significant layoffs, particularly impacting its mining safety research and respirator approval programs. The closure of NIOSH’s laboratory in Spokane, Washington, and the cessation of the National Firefighter Registry for Cancer are among the notable consequences. Such reductions raise concerns about the nation’s ability to address occupational health and safety effectively. 

Public health experts, former officials, labor unions, and lawmakers have voiced strong opposition to these cuts. Senator Patty Murray described the plan as “an absurd suggestion” that “defies common sense,” especially amid ongoing health challenges such as outbreaks of bird flu, measles, and the fentanyl epidemic. Labor unions have also pledged to contest the layoffs, emphasizing the detrimental impact on the nation’s public health infrastructure. 

The dismantling of the CDC’s infertility research team and other public health programs underscores the far-reaching implications of these workforce reductions. As the nation grapples with complex health issues, the loss of specialized expertise and resources may hinder efforts to advance medical research, implement effective public health strategies, and provide essential services to vulnerable populations.

Sources:

2 April 2025. NBC News

• CDC's IVF team gutted even as Trump calls himself the 'fertilisation president'

3 April 2025. Forbes

• HHS job cuts: entire CDC team focused on infertility and IVF is 'gone'

2 April 2025. The Guardian

• US health agency layoffs gut mine safety, infertility and smoking programs

2 April 2025. The New Republic

• 'Fertilisation President' Trump just gutted fertility research

Advancements in medical research have opened new avenues for addressing infertility in male survivors of childhood cancer. A groundbreaking case involves Jaiwen Hsu, who, at the age of 11, was diagnosed with osteosarcoma—a type of bone cancer. The chemotherapy regimen necessary to treat his cancer posed a significant risk to his future fertility. In response, doctors at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC) harvested and cryopreserved a sample of his testicular tissue, containing sperm-forming stem cells, before he commenced treatment. 

At 26, Hsu underwent a pioneering procedure where his preserved spermatogonial stem cells were reintroduced into his testes. This approach aims to regenerate spermatogenesis—the process of sperm production. While this technique has demonstrated success in animal models, including mice and monkeys, it remains experimental in humans. Early indications suggest that the transplanted tissue remains unharmed, though detectable sperm production has yet to be observed. 

The implications of this procedure are particularly significant for prepubescent boys undergoing treatments that may compromise fertility. Unlike post-pubertal males, who have the option of sperm banking, younger patients lack mature sperm for preservation. Testicular tissue cryopreservation offers a potential solution by storing tissue that contains immature sperm cells, which could later be matured or reimplanted to restore fertility. 

However, several challenges accompany this innovative approach. Ensuring the long-term viability and safety of cryopreserved testicular tissue is paramount. Risks include potential contamination with malignant cells, which could lead to cancer recurrence upon reimplantation. Additionally, the efficiency of spermatogenesis restoration and the overall success rates of such procedures in humans remain under investigation.

Ethical considerations also play a crucial role in the application of this technology. The experimental nature of testicular tissue transplantation raises questions about consent, particularly when procedures are performed on minors. Furthermore, the accessibility and cost of such treatments may limit their availability, potentially leading to disparities in care. 

Despite these challenges, the progress in spermatogonial stem cell transplantation represents a promising frontier in oncofertility—a field dedicated to preserving reproductive health in cancer patients. Ongoing research and clinical trials are essential to refine these techniques, address safety concerns, and establish standardized protocols. As the medical community continues to explore these innovations, there is hope that fertility preservation will become an integral component of comprehensive cancer care for young patients.

Sources:

26 March 2025. medRxiv

• Ultrasound-guided rete testis approach to sperm aspiration and spermatogonial stem cell transplantation in patients with azoospermia

28 March 2025. The Independent

• Boys with cancer can face infertility as adults. Can storing their stem cells help?

28 March 2025. Wired

• Sperm stem cells were used for the first time in an attempt to restore fertility

2 April 2025. Cancer Health

• Can stem cells restore fertility in men who had childhood cancer?

Training Batch Schedule May 2025 

Batch - V :    12th  to 26th May

The International School of Embryology a unit of Chennai Fertility Centre and Research Institute was established to offer training in Advanced Reproductive Techniques and Embryology for clinicians and embryologists. It will help them to know in-depth knowledge and have good hands-on training. The members of our teaching faculty aim to bring Clinician and Embryologists to the highest level of knowledge about Assisted Reproductive Technology and practical capability.

Our courses cover basics in Andrology, Embryology, ICSI & Cryosciences (Hands-on).

Limited Seats. For admission Contact  9003111598 / 8428278218