IVF NewsWebinar: Battle of the Banks
International IVF Initiative 03 June 2025
Tuesday 3rd June 3pm ET, 8pm BST, 9pm CET [ Full Article ]  
Conference: 21st Royan International Congress on Stem Cell Biology & Technology
Royan Institute 28 May 2025
The congresses will be held in English, while the Nursing and Midwifery Seminar will be conducted in Persian. [ Full Article ]
Conference: 26th Royan International Congress on Reproductive Medicine
Royan Institute 28 May 2025
Key members of the organizing committee include:
The congresses will be held in English, while the Nursing and Midwifery Seminar will be conducted in Persian. [ Full Article ]
Course: Hands on Training Course
Dr Sarabpreet Singh 26 May 2025
We’re pleased to announce the launch of our Hands-on Training Program on IVF, ICSI & Vitrification, taking place from 26th June to 6th July 2025 at Artemis Hospital, Sector 51, Gurugram, Haryana. This immersive program is designed to provide a comprehensive blend of lectures, video demonstrations, and intensive hands-on training, limited to only 4 trainees per batch Course Details: Lectures & Video Demonstrations Hands-on Training Andrology Techniques Gamete Handling, IVF, ICSI, and ET from 26th June to 6th July 2025 Vitrification of Gametes & Embryos on 4th & 5th July 2025 Study Material will be provided Certificate will be awarded** Special session on Embryo Biopsy Techniques Exposure to ongoing cases in IVF lab Demonstration of QC Instruments including Alarm Systems 📍 Venue – Artemis Hospital Gurugram, Sector 51, Gurugram, Haryana 122101 GAMETE HANDLING/IVF/ICSI COURSE - TOPICS Andrology – Semen analysis, sperm morphology and semen preparation Handling of oocytes – Oocyte pick-up, Oocyte morphology assessment Alignment of injecting and holding pipettes on the micromanipulator Assessment of morphologically sperm for Injection Sperm Immobilization & Aspiration Exposure to IMSI Exposure to Embryo Biopsy Fertilization check Embryo Grading Troubleshooting in ICSI Maintenance of an IVF/ART lab VITRIFICATION/CRYOPRESERVATION TOPICS Vitrification/cryopreservation is the master key of modern ART practice. This course will help participants understand the basics of cryobiology and improve the outcome of various cryopreservation procedures. We touch upon all the aspects of cryopreservation techniques and various procedural glitches/troubleshooting that can occur while performing this art. Essentials of Cryobiology (basic and advance) Setting up of cryobiology lab Sample identification and witnessing, Types of straws/vials, Samples (sperm, oocyte, embryos) Tank types, Storage systems (LN2 and precautions in handling), Transportation Semen Freezing (Ejaculate, Testicular and Epididymal Sperm) Vitrification of sperm Vitrification of oocytes and embryos: basics and advanced Liquid nitrogen handling & precautions (PPE) Troubleshooting Critical issues in procedures and outcomes, Traceability, Legal consideration Our trainees have had a very satisfactory experience in terms of learning and have been able to upskill themselves. Besides, the trainees also benefit from extensive discussions on how to optimise the lab protocols & improve the lab outcome. Fee Details IVF ICSI Course (Indian Students) – ₹90,000 Vitrification Course – ₹20,000 International Students – USD 1,530 🔗 Secure Your Seat Now: +91 94539 70123 | +91 96673 48050 Limited slots available – reserve early to avoid disappointment! Warm regards, [ Full Article ]
Webinar: Reproductive BioMedicine in Space III - Watch Now
International IVF Initiative 12 May 2025
13th May 3pm ET, 8pm UK, 9pm CET Panelist: Dr. Blair T Stocks Presenters: Dr. Paul Root Wolpe on Ethical considerations Dr. Jeffrey Jones: male reproductive system impacted by Q and A [ Full Article ]
News: The Self-Organizing Genome: How Early Embryos Build—and Rebuild—Their Nuclear Architecture
IVF.net NewsDesk 12 May 2025
In a groundbreaking study published in Cell, researchers from Helmholtz Munich and collaborating institutions have unveiled how mouse embryos establish the three-dimensional organization of their genome shortly after fertilization. Contrary to previous beliefs that a single master regulator dictates this process, the study demonstrates that multiple redundant epigenetic pathways collaboratively shape nuclear architecture, ensuring robustness and adaptability during early development. The team conducted a gain-of-function screen in mouse embryos, perturbing various epigenetic factors to observe their effects on nuclear organization. They discovered that modifications to histone H3, heterochromatin dynamics, and overall histone content significantly influence the formation of lamina-associated domains (LADs)—regions of the genome that interact with the nuclear lamina and are crucial for gene regulation. Interestingly, some perturbations had different impacts depending on whether they occurred in zygotes or at the two-cell stage, highlighting the dynamic nature of nuclear organization during early embryogenesis . One of the most surprising findings was the embryo’s ability to self-correct disruptions in nuclear organization. Even when LAD formation was impaired at the zygote stage, embryos could re-establish proper nuclear architecture by the two-cell stage. This resilience suggests that early embryos possess mechanisms to compensate for initial organizational errors, ensuring proper development despite epigenetic disturbances . The study also challenges the traditional view that a gene’s position within the nucleus strictly determines its activity. Researchers observed instances where genes remained active despite relocating to typically inactive nuclear regions, and vice versa. This finding implies that gene expression is not solely dictated by spatial positioning within the nucleus, but also by a complex interplay of epigenetic factors . These insights have broader implications beyond embryonic development. Disruptions in nuclear architecture are associated with various diseases, including certain cancers and genetic disorders like Progeria, which causes premature aging. Understanding the mechanisms that allow embryos to establish and maintain nuclear organization could inform therapeutic strategies aimed at correcting or mitigating such disruptions in disease contexts . In summary, this study sheds light on the remarkable flexibility and resilience of early embryonic development. By employing multiple epigenetic pathways to establish and, if necessary, re-establish nuclear architecture, embryos ensure robust gene regulation during critical stages of development. These findings not only deepen our understanding of developmental biology but also open new avenues for research into epigenetic therapies for various diseases. Sources: 23 April 2025. Cell [ Full Article ]
News: ART & Embryology training program
Chennai Fertility Centre and Research Institute 02 May 2025
Training Batch Schedule June 2025 Batch - VI : 02nd to 16th JuneThe 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 [ Full Article ]
News: UK’s First Womb Transplant Birth Marks Historic Milestone in Reproductive Medicine
IVF.net NewsDesk 21 April 2025
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 7 April 2025. NHS Imperial College Healthcare 7 April 2025. The Independent 7 April 2025. The Guardian [ Full Article ]
News: Restoring Fertility After Childhood Cancer: A New Era of Testicular Stem Cell Transplants
IVF.net NewsDesk 21 April 2025
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 28 March 2025. The Independent 28 March 2025. Wired 2 April 2025. Cancer Health [ Full Article ]
News: Microembart2.0 Conference
Dr. Ved Prakash 20 April 2025
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