Genetics and epigenetics behind subfertility and reproductive system disease

Precongress Course 9

 Special Interest Group Reproductive Genetics

Course co-ordinators
Ursula Eichenlaub-Ritter (Germany) and Claudia Spits (Belgium)

Course type
Advanced

Course description
Knowledge on epigenetic and genetic mechanisms behind male and female subfertility and on new approaches to identify disease affecting reproduction has dramatically increased in the last years. Thus, information on the relevance of epigenetic disturbances in male subfertility, origin of chromosome instability in oocytes and embryos, and on new ways to detect pathways and epigenetics in reproductive pathologies should be provided to all involved in ART, human genetics, and human reproduction. The course is therefore aimed at covering novel developments, and their potential applications in genetics and epigenetics in male and female subfertility and (epi)genetic disease. The course should bridge the gap between basic research and clinical applications.

Target audience
Professionals working in ART and in human reproductive medicine, in particular in reproductive genetics, as well as clinicians from different fields, embryologists, lab technicians, and basic scientists in reproduction.

Educational needs and expected outcomes
The rapid developments in genetics and epigenetics in reproduction necessitate that ESHRE provides updated informtion on the field and in the clinics to bridge basic sciences with clinical application. The information provided in the course should increase the knowledge on the basis of subfertility by epimutation and chromosomal instability in germ cell formation, provide information on recent advances in methodologies to identify risks and advance personalised medicine for clinicians, embryologists and geneticists in reproductive medicine.

Programme