MEFS Exchange course & Symposium- ESHRE2017

Is the oocyte the main determinant of embryo quality? Strategies for the selection of the most competent oocyte

Date: July 02, 2017

Time:09:00-17:00

Pre-congress Course 14 

Course co-ordinator
Johnny Awwad (Lebanon) and Mohammad Aboulghar (Egypt)  

Course type
Advanced

Course description
The oocyte is the key player in the sperm-egg interaction and the major determinant of embryo developmental potential. In addition to transmitting the maternal chromosomal complement, it also contributes the mitochondrial genome to the developing embryo. Surprisingly little research have focused on studying the oocyte contribution to a successful implantation. Determining oocyte quality remains restricted to a morphological analysis, a well-proven inaccurate science.

Alternative innovative strategies, the outcome of extensive research, could prove useful in enhancing the ability of the treating team to select the most competent oocytes for fertilization and subsequent embryo transfer. In addition to advancing our ability to alter reproductive pathways, such technologies have also greatly expanded our understanding of the biology of reproduction. 
Oocyte competence could hence be better identified on the basis of minimally invasive enhanced diagnostic modalities, such as distribution pattern and function of mitochondria, polar body genomic analysis, cumulus cell molecular signature and many others. Some of these developments have also led to focused interventions designed to improve oocyte reproductive performance, namely mitochondrial enhancement and androgen priming. 

This pre-congress course discusses biologic pathways which influence oocyte competence and evaluates diagnostic and therapeutic interventions designed to promote oocytes with the highest reproductive potential. 
 

Target audience

-Fertility Specialists and Reproductive Endocrinologists

-Embryologists

-Reproductive Molecular Biologists and Scientists

 
Educational needs and expected outcomes

At the completion of this pre-congress course, participants should be able to:
-Describe the biologic pathways which determine oocyte competence

-Evaluate the merits of minimally invasive diagnostic modalities in enhancing the selection of the most competent oocyte for fertilization

-Develop an evidence-based assessment of the value of proposed interventions in improving the reproductive capability of women

Programme