Page 44 - FINAL PROGRAMME 2017

PRECONGRESS COURSE 14
Sunday, 2 July 2017 I Room K
Is the oocyte the main determinant of embryo quality? Strategies for the selection of the most competent oocyte Organised by The Middle East Fertility Society (MEFS)
COURSE COORDINATORS
Johnny Awwad (Lebanon) and Mohammad Aboulghar (Egypt)
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 identi ed 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 precongress course discusses biologic pathways which in uence oocyte competence and evaluates diagnostic and therapeutic interventions designed to promote oocytes with the highest reproductive potential.
TARGET AUDIENCE
Fertility Specialists and Reproductive Endocrinologists
EDUCATIONAL NEEDS AND EXPECTED OUTCOMES
At the completion of this precongress 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
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