IVF NewsWebinar: CRYOGOVERNANCE® VI: BEST PRACTICES IN CRYOSTORAGE
International IVF Initiative 16 October 2022
18th Oct 2022, 3pm EST LIVE, 8pm UK, 9pm CET Moderators: [ Full Article ]  
Course: MSc in Clinical Embryology: Applications for entry in October 2023
Laura Rose 09 October 2022
We are still accepting applications for applications for the MSc in Clinical Embryology course starting in October 2023. This one year, residential, taught MSc provides graduate students, scientists and clinicians with highly advanced theoretical and practical understanding of human reproductive biology, embryology, infertility and assisted reproductive technology (ART) along with intensive ‘hands-on’ practical training in essential laboratory skills and the sophisticated gamete micromanipulation techniques associated with ART. The department's aim is to inspire, motivate and train a network of future leaders in clinical embryology throughout the world. For details of how apply including the admissions criteria please see our admissions page: http://www.ox.ac.uk/admissions/graduate/courses/msc-clinical-embryology For further information please contact the Course Administrator: [email protected] Follow us on Twitter: @Ox_MSc_ClinEmb Photographs: © Medical Sciences Division and John Cairns [ Full Article ]
Announcement: Hands on Training 2022
Dr. Sarabpreet Singh 03 October 2022
The Fertilis Academy in association with Artemis Hospitals is organizing a Hands-on training on 'Gamete Handling/IVF/ICSI' and 'Vitrification of Embryos' from 4th to 13th November, 2022.
The venue for the training will be Artemis Hospital, Sector 52, Gurugram.
Interested candidates can visit the link https://www.thefertilisacademy.com/hands-on-training/ for details.
📍For any queries,
Call us: +91-9899009497
Whatsapp us - https://wa.link/facvm6
Explore more about us at www.thefertilisacademy.com
(Find the link in bio.)
**Certificate will be awarded at the end of the course.
[ Full Article ]
Webinar: CRYOGOVERNANCE V - BEST PRACTICES IN CRYOTRANSPORTATION
International IVF Initiative 26 September 2022
11th Oct 2022, 3pm EST LIVE, 8pm UK, 9pm CET [ Full Article ]
News: Protein that helps sperm fuse with egg identified
Dr George Janes 26 September 2022
A newly discovered protein which facilitates egg and sperm fusion provides new insights into human fertilisation. Over half of infertility cases cannot be explained, meaning that treatments based on current understanding may not be effective for every patient. Using an artificial fertilisation technique, researchers have revealed a novel protein controlling the attachment of sperm to eggs, shedding new light on the mechanisms of conception. Professor Harry Moore of the University of Sheffield and lead author of the study said: 'Infertility is unexplained in more than half of those who struggle to conceive naturally. What we know about fertility in humans has been severely limited by ethical concerns and the lack of eggs for research.' The study, published in Science Advances, describes how the team used microscopic beads, each coated with a specific protein fragment, to screen the role of many proteins in sperm-to-egg attachment. Using this method, they discovered that beads coated with a section of one protein, MAIA, named after the Greek goddess of motherhood, bound a high number of sperm. The scientists showed that MAIA acts together with a previously identified sperm-binding protein called JUNO to anchor sperm to the egg's surface. They introduced the genes for MAIA and JUNO into hamster egg cells and found that this enabled them to bind human sperm, something they ordinarily would not be able to do. PET trustee, Professor Allan Pacey of the University of Sheffield and co-author of the study said: 'This discovery of the MAIA protein is a major step forward in how we understand the process of human fertilisation. It would have been almost impossible to discover without the use of the artificial beads to replicate the surface of human eggs as we simply wouldn't have been able to get enough eggs to do the experiment. A classic case of thinking out of the box.' These findings elucidate how gamete fusion occurs and could explain the idea that, between humans, some people's sperm may not be compatible with others' eggs. The discovery of this mechanism and future work could help explain why some patients cannot easily conceive. Professor Moore commented: 'The ingenious artificial fertilisation technique which enabled us to identify the MAIA protein will not only allow scientists to better understand the mechanisms of human fertility but will pave the way for novel ways to treat infertility and revolutionise the design of future contraceptives.' Sources and References
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News: Human cells mimicking early embryogenesis generated
Dr Emma Green 26 September 2022
A type of embryonic cell has been generated from human stem cells for the first time, providing a method to study post-implantation development. Published in Cell Stem Cell, researchers at KU Leuven, Belgium, have created extraembryonic mesoderm cells (EXMCs) from human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs). The cells closely resemble those naturally formed in human embryos, providing a good model to study early development in vitro. 'We are very excited because now we can study processes that normally remain inaccessible during development,' said lead author Professor Vincent Pasque. 'The model has already enabled us to find out where extraembryonic mesoderm cells come from. In the longer term, our model will hopefully also shed more light on medical challenges such as fertility problems, miscarriages, and developmental disorders.' Ethical and technical limitations mean that early human embryo development is difficult to study. Human stem cell models provide an accessible way to study specific cells and their processes. Human iPSCs have the capacity to generate all cell types in the body. The extraembryonic mesoderm forms early in embryonic development just after implantation. EXMCs generate the first blood in the embryo, aid in attaching the embryo to the future placenta, and are involved in forming the primitive umbilical cord. 'In humans, this type of cell appears at an earlier developmental stage than in mouse embryos, and there might be other important differences between species. That makes our model especially important: research in mice may not give us answers that also apply to humans' said Professor Pasque. This new cell model is a step forward in understanding human cell development and may provide a way to study a variety of developmental disorders. Sources and References
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News: Hyaluronic acid may boost chance of live birth
Melinda Van Kerckvoorde 26 September 2022
A large data analysis study has found that embryo exposure to hyaluronic acid prior to transfer could improve IVF success rates for patients using their own eggs. Hyaluronic acid is an adhesive compound that is secreted by the cells surrounding the egg and is naturally present in the female reproductive tract. Following in-vitro fertilisation, embryos are kept in a liquid medium before being transferred back to the womb. Many studies have investigated whether adding hyaluronic acid to the culture medium could be a simple and cheap way to improve IVF success. A data analysis published in Human Reproduction suggests that it may increase live birth rates for some patients. 'We found that when women use their own eggs, exposing to hyaluronic acid for ten minutes before placing it in the uterus increased the likelihood of a cycle resulting in a birth by 32 percent to 39 percent,' said Dr Devorah Heymann from Kaplan Hospital in Rehovot, Israel who led the study in partnership with Hebrew University, Jerusalem, Israel. The research team analysed data from 15 clinical trials to compare the effect of hyaluronic acid on pregnancy outcomes between patients who used their own eggs or donor eggs for IVF. A total of 4686 IVF patients were included in the study whose embryo culture medium contained high or low concentrations or no hyaluronic acid. Following statistical analysis, the researchers claim that culture media containing high concentrations of hyaluronic acid increase the number of live births and clinical pregnancies from 36 percent to 43 percent and 42 to 47 percent, respectively, when using the patient's own eggs. No beneficial effect on pregnancy outcomes was observed when using donor eggs. The team had previously carried out a Cochrane Review in 2020 which had also shown that hyaluronic acid treatment could help people who use their own eggs for IVF. Given the increased demand for donor eggs, hyaluronic acid treatment thus could help patients to conceive even when their own eggs are of poorer quality. Furthermore, this study could provide more evidence for the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority which currently lists hyaluronic acid addition during IVF as a treatment add-on with conflicting results. The researchers highlight that more data is needed to reveal the true effect of hyaluronic acid when using donated eggs and that further research is required to understand the underlying mechanism of hyaluronic acid. Sources and References
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Conference: 2023 Southwest Embryology Summit
Jean Popwell, PhD 24 September 2022
Don't miss out: reserve your seat at the next SWES conference in Phoenix, Jan 5-7, 2023! We at SWES are pleased to announce our conference in-person, in Phoenix. I know, we are excited also! We will hold the conference at the same 2022 venue, the Sheraton Mesa Hotel at Wrigleyville West in Mesa, AZ. It was a wonderful venue with great facilities. Stay tuned for updated meeting details. Jan. 5 - Vitrolife Dinner Talk - earn CEUs Jan. 6 - Conference Day - earn CEUs Jan. 7 - Conference Day - earn CEUs Jan. 8 - Fun Day with Kimball Pomeroy and Huey Huynh Online SWES registration is currently available through our website www.theSWES.org. The number of summit participants is limited with a registration fee of $75. Hotel Information: The 12th annual Southwest Embryology Summit will be held at: Sheraton Mesa Hotel at Wrigleyville West 860 N. Riverview, Mesa, AZ, 85201, US 480-664-1221 Hotel Reservations: 2023 SWES - Hotel registration number is 480-664-1221. Get your room by Dec. 5th! Room Rates - Good through December 5, 2022. After December 5th access to the block rate is at the discretion of the hotel. Block rate is available for 3 days prior to and 3 days following the conference for those wishing to extend their stay. Rate Breakdown: Single/Double - $139/night plus applicable fees and taxes SWES Participant Registration: $ 75.00 Register and attend to earn CEUs. Attendees of previous meetings earned CEUs. We look forward to seeing you in Phoenix! Best regards, Jean Popwell, PhD, HCLD, CC VP SWES [email protected]
#embryologist #embryology #conference #andrology #ceus [ Full Article ]
Announcement: IMT Matcher - IVF Witnessing System
EART 14 September 2022
𝗦𝗵𝗶𝘃𝗮𝗻𝗶 𝗦𝗰𝗶𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗳𝗶𝗰 𝗶𝗻𝘃𝗶𝘁𝗲𝘀 𝗬𝗢𝗨 𝘁𝗼 𝗷𝗼𝗶𝗻 𝘂𝘀 𝗟𝗜𝗩𝗘 𝗼𝗻 𝟭𝟴𝘁𝗵 𝗦𝗲𝗽𝘁𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟮, 𝗦𝗨𝗡𝗗𝗔𝗬 𝗮𝘁 𝟭𝟭:𝟬𝟬𝗮𝗺 [ Full Article ]
News: Further stages of development observed in mouse embryo models
Dr Rachel Montgomery 05 September 2022
'Synthetic' model embryos made using mouse stem cells and an artificial incubator are the closest a stem-cell-derived embryo model has ever come to resembling a naturally developing embryo in the uterus. Researchers from the University of Cambridge and the California Institute of Technology grew the so-called 'integrated stem cell-based embryo models' for 8.5 days (complete mouse gestation is 18-21 days) – long enough to develop a beating heart and the foundations of all other organs. 'The stem cell embryo model is important because it gives us accessibility to the developing structure at a stage that is normally hidden from us due to the implantation of the tiny embryo into the mother's womb' said lead researcher Professor Magdalena Zernicka-Goetz from the University of Cambridge. As reported in Nature, the models were developed by combining three different and specific types of stem cells: one that will develop into the embryo, with the other two developing into extraembryonic structures including the placenta and yolk sac which provides the early embryo with nutrients. When combined in an artificial incubator, the stem cells were found to signal to each other via touch and chemical messengers, allowing them to spontaneously self-organise into embryos. These synthetic models also reached the point where the entire brain, including the anterior forebrain, began to develop. 'The embryos struggle to grow beyond that point because they require a placenta which we cannot reproduce in vitro', first author Dr Gianluca Amadei from the University of Cambridge told the Financial Times. The recent work builds on very similar work published earlier this month by Professor Jacob Hanna at the Weizmann Institute of Science in Israel, who genetically altered stem cells to create mouse embryo models and also allowed them to develop for 8.5 days. Both studies found the process highly error-prone, with only one in 100 attempts being successful. Nonetheless, the team hope that their findings could have a number of implications, from improving the understanding of normal development and helping to better understand why some embryos go on to develop into a healthy pregnancy, while many others fail. The team are also working on developing human embryo models, but stress that these efforts are considerably further behind given the differences in understanding between early human and mouse development. Having a lab-grown human embryo model available for research could be a major advance for the study of fertility and common developmental disorders, but also highlight the importance of ongoing ethical and legal conversations about the status and use of model embryos and natural human embryos in research. Sarah Norcross, director of PET, said: 'Unlike actual human embryos, stem-cell-based embryo models in humans and other organisms are not restricted by a 14-day rule…These models are extremely helpful for research, but there still remains a case for changing the law to extend the 14-day rule, so that we can continue to learn from the precious embryos that have been kindly donated by fertility patients following their treatment.' Sources and References
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