Page 10 - Focus on REPRODUCTION SEP 2015
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Hospital Universitaro Quiron-Dexeus in Barcelona between 2000 and 2012 - in 4195 women having 5841 cycles of IVF. Cumulative LBRs (fresh and frozen) declined significantly with increasing age – from 23.6% in women 38-39 years, to 15.6% in 40-41 years, to 6.6% in 42-43 years, to 1.3% in 44 years and older. Presenter Marta Devesa described the study as the largest ever to analyse cumulative live birth rates in women over 38, and, based on its results, said that women aged 44 and over should be advised against IVF with their own eggs, as the chances of success are so slim. For the others under 44, age and the number of eggs retrieved provide the best guide to outcome.
The congress's scientific highlight was deemed by many to be the invited presentation of Mary Herbert on techniques to prevent the transmission of mitochondrial disease. Her centre in Newcastle, UK, will be the first in Britain to develop the techniques in a clinical programme following their approval by Parliament earlier this year. Herbert said the UK regulations will come into force in October. While the prevalence of mitochondrial diseases is relatively low (around one per 5000 population), their effects are debilitating and fatal, she said. Their severity, however, depends on the mutation load, which may be evident in only some copies of mitochondrial DNA (heteroplasmy) or in all copies (homoplasmy). The favoured technique being presently explored to
As ever, the press programme was keenly followed, making front page news in several UK papers.
‘uncouple’ the inheritance of nuclear DNA from mitochondrial is by pronuclear transfer, whose proof of principle has already been demonstrated by the Newcastle group in abnormally fertilised zygotes.
On the question of embryo research, Dutch bioethicist Guido de Wert proposed that arguments in favour of the 14-day window were ‘pragmatic’ and ‘unconvincing’ - and that the time limit was now ‘open for further debate’. Extending the limit, however, will still be difficlt’
‘AWARDS TO SEVEN PRIZE WINNERS AT THIS YEAR’S ANNUAL MEETING
Six presentations were rewarded with a prize of €2000. One additional presentation was selected for the Fertility Society of Australia Exchange Award. Committees of senior scientists and clinicians made the selection for each award.
Basic Science Award for oral presentation
High-resolution imaging of meiosis in live human oocytes - Zuzana Holubcova (UK)
Clinical Science Award for oral presentation
The Neurokinin B receptor antagonist AZD4901 decreases LH and testosterone secretion in women with PCOS: a randomised, double-blind, placebo- controlled clinical trial - Jyothis George (UK)
Basic Science Award for poster presentation
Crucial role of hypoxia inducible factor 2 alpha in the pregnant uterus - Leona Matsumoto (Japan)
Prizewinners receive their awards from incoming ESHRE Chairman Kersti Lundin. Reliability of the ESHRE/ESGE and ASRM classification systems of uterine congenital malformations - Artur Ludwin (Poland)
Clinical Science Award for poster presentation The Fertility Society of Australia Exchange Award
Balancing between totipotency and differentiation in the human embryo - Marie Krivega (Belgium) The Nurses Award
Fertility awareness in the Flemish population: optimism can be disadvantageous - Ilse Delbaere (Belgium)
The ART Laboratory Award
Frozen-thawed in-vitro matured oocytes collected at the time of ovarian tissue processing, for the purpose of fertility preservation for transsexual persons, show normal spindle formations - Sylvie Lierman (Belgium)
10 Focus on Reproduction // SEPTEMBER 2015