IVF News

3pm ET/ 8pm UK/ 9pm CET, Tuesday 8th Oct 2024
The webinar is kindly sponsored by Future Fertility

Moderators:

Dr. Aisling Ahlström and Dr. Marcos Meseguer Escrivá with Jullin Fjeldstad

Presenters:

Dr. Xavier Pollet-Villard- Petite incubation, grands résultats?
Dr. Alberto Tejera- AOA could improve fertilization and useable blastocyst rates
Lucia Murria Aguilar- Using AI to evaluate oocyte quality

Q and A

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IVF Tribe is an inclusive platform tailored for all professionals involved in the IVF field, whether in clinical practice or research. Our community brings together embryologists, clinicians, researchers, nurses, and allied health professionals to foster collaboration, share knowledge, and enhance best practices. By connecting experts from diverse backgrounds, we aim to support continuous learning and innovation in reproductive medicine, ultimately improving outcomes for patients and advancing the field as a whole.

IVF Tribe now spans 125 countries; join us for free via www.ivftribe.org

Training November Batch Schedule 2024  

•   November Batch: 11th to 25th 2024 

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, and cryosciences (Hands-on).

Limited Seats. For admission Contact  9003111598 / 8428278218 

A breakthrough study uncovers a transient period of genomic instability during the 4-cell stage of mouse embryos, linking slow replication forks to chromosome segregation errors—and offering new insights into improving early embryonic development.

Embryonic genome stability is a critical factor during early development, particularly in the context of DNA replication. In this study, researchers constructed a comprehensive DNA replication atlas for pre-implantation mouse embryos. They observed an abrupt shift in replication programs between the 1- and 2-cell stages, where replication occurs uniformly, and the 4-cell stage, where a somatic-cell-like replication timing program emerges. This shift is accompanied by a temporary period of genomic instability, marked by increased replication stress and chromosome segregation errors. Notably, this instability coincides with slow-moving replication forks and prolonged S phase, emphasizing a lack of coordination between replisome regulation and large-scale replication timing.

The research revealed that in the early stages of embryonic development (1- and 2-cell embryos), there is an absence of a structured replication timing program. During these stages, replication forks move extremely slowly, resulting in a gradual, uniform replication process across the genome. However, by the 4-cell stage, a somatic-cell-like replication timing program begins abruptly, despite the fact that replication fork speed remains slow. This shift in replication dynamics results in extended S phase and an increase in markers associated with replication stress, DNA damage, and repair processes. These findings highlight a critical window of vulnerability in early embryonic development.

Chromosome segregation errors, particularly during the 4-to-8-cell division, are another hallmark of this transient instability. Researchers found that these errors predominantly occurred in late-replicating regions of the genome. Interestingly, these aberrations were significantly reduced with the addition of nucleoside supplementation, which accelerated fork speed and reduced replication stress. This discovery suggests that manipulating replication fork dynamics could serve as a potential strategy to mitigate genomic instability during critical stages of embryonic development, providing an important avenue for future clinical applications, especially in the context of in vitro fertilization.

By the time embryos reach the 8-cell stage, the situation improves markedly. Replication forks gain speed, the S phase shortens, and the frequency of chromosomal aberrations decreases. This improvement reflects a more coordinated replication process where both replisome-level regulation and large-scale replication timing are better synchronized. The findings imply that genome stability is closely linked to this coordination, and that disruptions during the 4-cell stage present a temporary but critical challenge to embryonic development.

In conclusion, this study sheds light on the complex regulation of DNA replication during early mammalian embryogenesis, emphasizing the challenges of genome stability during the transition from the embryonic to somatic replication program. The abrupt emergence of replication timing at the 4-cell stage creates a transient period of genomic instability, which is alleviated by the 8-cell stage. These insights not only advance the understanding of embryonic development at the molecular level but also offer potential pathways for reducing chromosome aberrations in early embryos.

Sources

28 August 2024. Nature.

• Embryonic genome instability upon DNA replication timing program emergence

NON-INVASIVE GENETIC SAMPLING OF THE PREIMPLANTATION EMBRYO

3pm ET/ 8pmUK/ 9pm CET, Tuesday 17th Sept 2024

This webinar is kindly sponsored by Thermo Fisher Scientific

Moderators:
Dr. Catherine Welch, Dr. Berthe Youness and Prof. Joanne Traeger- Synodinos

Presenters:
Dr. Gary Nakhuda: "Current status of niPGT" 
Dr. Anil Biricik: Recommendations for IVF Laboratory for the most effective cfDNA analysis during non-invasive PGT- 
Dr. Evrim Unsal: "Practical experiences on PGT, tubing and genetic sampling of the Blastocoel" 

Q and A 

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RBMO LIVE EPISODE 9

3pm ET/ 8pm UK/ 9pm CET, Tuesday 10th Sept, 2024.

Moderators:

Professor Nick Macklon
Dr. Signe Altmäe
 

Article showcases:
Dr. Munevver Serdarogullari - Revitalising female fertility: platelet-rich
plasma (PRP) - hype or hope?
 Jemma Garratt- Clinical outcomes of vitrified-warmed autologous oocyte cycles with 15-year follow-up at a single UK centre: consistent and predictable results

RBMO Periconception, Pregnancy, Children Outcomes Section profile

Introduced by Section Editor, Dr. Catherine Aiken

Periconception article showcase: 
Dr. Melissa van der Windt and Dr. Melek Rousian - Periconceptional maternal and paternal alcohol consumption and embryonic and foetal development: The Rotterdam periconception cohort

Q&A

VIEW HERE

Dr. David Gardner’s presentation explores the transformative role of emerging technologies in improving outcomes in Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) laboratories. He begins by discussing how IVF labs traditionally operate with static culture systems that fall short of replicating the natural, dynamic environment embryos experience in vivo. Dr. Gardner emphasizes the need to closely mimic these natural conditions, highlighting the complex interplay of gradients, nutrients, and movement that embryos undergo within the female reproductive tract. He points out that conventional lab culture dishes do not capture these dynamics, driving the need for more advanced tools and systems in IVF labs.

Dr. Gardner discusses a range of innovative technologies poised to revolutionize ART, starting with microfluidics—a technology that manipulates fluids at a sub-millimeter scale, enabling precise separation and selection of motile sperm to improve overall sperm quality. He explains how microfluidic devices enhance embryo culture by replicating the movement and fluid dynamics found in the body and touches on the potential of perfusion culture systems to create a more physiological environment for embryo development. Additionally, he explores advanced microscopy techniques, such as FLIM (Fluorescence Lifetime Imaging Microscopy) and hyperspectral imaging, to assess metabolic activity in embryos, offering new ways to evaluate embryo health and viability for more accurate selection.

Artificial intelligence (AI) is another major focus in Dr. Gardner’s presentation. He explains how AI, when combined with human expertise, significantly enhances embryo selection and laboratory management. AI algorithms play a crucial role in processing the vast amounts of data generated from embryo monitoring systems, including time-lapse imaging and biomarker analysis. Dr. Gardner concludes by emphasizing that while automation and AI streamline many ART processes, skilled embryologists remain essential to the success of IVF. He notes that as IVF cycles increase, the demand for trained professionals will grow, ensuring that technology supports rather than replaces human expertise. Overall, the presentation paints an exciting future for IVF, where technological advancements not only improve clinical outcomes but also create more efficient and dynamic laboratory environments.

Training Batch Schedule October 2024  

• October         =    15th to 29th 2024

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 

Training Batch Schedule October to December 2024  

• October         =    15th to 29th 2024
• November      =    11th to 25th 2024
• December      =     16th to 31st 2024

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 a significant and unprecedented legal ruling, a sperm donor has been awarded parental rights over the biological mother of a nine-year-old boy, marking a pivotal moment in family law. The Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia ruled in June that the boy's birth mother, who conceived him using donor eggs and sperm through IVF, would lose her parental responsibility. Instead, the court granted shared custody to the sperm donor and the birth mother’s former partner.

This complex custody battle, which spanned nearly five years and incurred significant legal costs for all parties involved, revolved around the boy’s upbringing following the separation of the two mothers. The child was conceived using donor eggs from a friend and sperm from a man who had stipulated his desire to be actively involved in the child's life. Known to the boy as 'Daddy,' the sperm donor has maintained a consistent presence in his life since birth, including regular visits and overnight stays.

The case took a contentious turn when the two mothers separated, leading to a bitter custody dispute. Despite the sperm donor's active involvement, the biological mother argued that he had waived his formal parental rights by not being listed on the birth certificate. However, the court ruled that this argument did not align with the realities of the situation, as the donor had been deeply involved in the child’s welfare and development from the beginning.

The court’s decision to award shared custody to the sperm donor and the mother’s ex-partner was grounded in the best interests of the child, particularly considering the ongoing conflicts between the three adults. The judge concluded that the sperm donor's role in the boy’s life went beyond that of a mere donor, recognizing him as a practical parent. The judge emphasized that decisions regarding the child’s health and welfare needed to be made swiftly and effectively, something that could be better achieved by excluding the biological mother from parental responsibility.

This ruling not only underscores the evolving nature of family structures and the legal recognition of non-traditional parental roles but also sets a precedent for similar cases in the future. It highlights the importance of the child’s well-being and stability over biological ties, especially in situations where multiple adults have a vested interest in the child's upbringing. The biological mother’s intention to appeal the decision was ultimately deemed futile, solidifying the court's stance on the matter.

Source

28 July 2024. Daily Mail

• Sperm donor wins custody of boy over his birth mother and her lesbian partner in landmark court case