Stresa, Italy
September 24 - September 26, 2004
In the general view of new in vitro reproductive strategies the specific knowledge of follicologenesis and oocyte granulosa cells interactions, as well as the acquisition of the mechanism involved in oocyte developmental competence, play an essential role. Over the last two decades, culture systems have been developed with the aim of growing oocytes from the earliest follicular stages through to maturation and fertilization.
In addition, considering that the developmental outcome of the preimplantation embryo is not only dependent upon intrinsic factors, such as the quality of the maternal and paternal gametes, but also influenced by extrinsic influences, like ovarian stimulation or in vitro manipulation, the Symposium provided an overview of the function of gametes and embryos and discussed the current strategies for preimplantation embryo selection.
The aim of the conference was to bring together the competences of clinicians and scientists, in order to better appreciate the relationship between gametogenesis and embryo development. The possibility of cryopreserving oocytes would lead to an important progress, overloading the ethical and legal challenges determined by embryo storage. Considering the high impact of the new trends of cryobiology, the Symposium extensively explored the strategies to preserve female fertility, both considering ovarian tissue and oocytes, in order to preserve and, where possible, restore woman’s fertility, creating banks of cryopreserved gametes and ovarian tissue. These technologies are still under development but their record to date demonstrates progress towards greater efficiency.
In this sight the meeting conducted the participants along the pathway going from oogenesis to early implantation.
OBJECTIVES
After the conclusion of this course, the participants were familiar with:
- Folliculogenesis and oocyte granulosa cells interactions;
- Acquisition of oocyte developmental competence;
- Paternal contribution to embryo development;
- Preservation of female fertility: cryobiology of oocytes and ovarian tissue;
- New insights on the implantation embryo;
- Embryo-maternal interactions at implantation.
Serono Symposia International Foundation (www.seronosymposia.org) submitted this program “From Oocyte to Embryo: A Pathway to Life” (Stresa, Italy, September 24-26, 2004) for accreditation by the European Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (EACCME).
CME accreditation for this program was applied for from the Italian Ministry of Health.
