Hybrid Conference

4th World Conference on Luteinizing Hormone in ART:
The Symphony of a New Life


16 - 17 May 2025
Sorrento, Italy

Watch the Recording Sessions
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Overview

The role of luteinizing hormone (LH) during folliculogenesis has intrigued the scientific and medical community for at least three decades. There is an emerging galaxy of research to explore concerning this enigmatic subject. The availability of recombinant drugs now offers, for the first time, the opportunity to examine the roles of follicle stimulating hormone and LH separately. An emerging topic during the previous congress was LH supplementation to improve outcomes in a subgroup of low-prognosis patients selected according to POSEIDON classifications.

During the next congress in 2025 we will discuss the management of these low-prognosis patients in greater detail. Notably, we will move beyond controlled ovarian stimulation to explore further the involvement of LH in personalizing the luteal phase, and in treating male infertility. Also on the agenda will be the extragonadal effects of LH, including potential immunomodulation at the endometrium.

Following the precedent set at the previous congress, considerable time will be devoted to basic science, alongside such controversial issues as progesterone rise and pharmacogenomics. This year we have attracted prominent scientists from the fields of endocrinology, andrology, immunology and embryology to take part in our engaging educational programme.

Learning Objectives

After participating in this World Conference attendees will be able to:

  • • Understand the importance of luteinizing activity during folliculogenesis and beyond.
  • • Understand the dynamics of the hypothalamic-pituitary axis in the pathogenesis of hypo-and normogonadotropic amenorrhea.
  • • Comprehend the concept of relative gonadotropin deficiency.
  • • Discuss and debate the management of low-prognosis patients.
  • • Comprehend the clinical utility of LH supplementation to women classified according to POSEIDON criteria.
  • • Discover the clinical relevance of LH supplementation in ART.
  • • Analyse the relevance of LH during the luteal phase and introduce the concept of individualized luteal-phase support.
  • • Explore the potential role of LH in male infertility treatment.

Target Audience

This programme is designed for clinicians and biologists working in assisted reproductive medicine, who want to acquire up-to date information to improve their current practice.

Venue

Hilton Sorrento Palace

Via Rivolo S.Antonio, 13, 80067 Sorrento NA, Italy

Language

The official language of all our educational activities is English.

European Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education Accreditation

The 4th World Conference on Luteinizing Hormone in ART: The Symphony of a New Life, Sorrento, Italy, Italy 16/05/2025 – 17/05/2025, has been accredited by the European Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (EACCME®) with 9.0 European CME credits (ECMEC®s).

Each medical specialist should claim only those hours of credit that he/she actually spent in the educational activity.

Through an agreement between the Union Européenne des Médecins Spécialistes and the American Medical Association, physicians may convert EACCME® credits to an equivalent number of AMA PRA Category 1 CreditsTM. Information on the process to convert EACCME® credit to AMA credit can be found at https://edhub.ama-assn.org/pages/applications .

“Live educational activities, occurring outside of Canada, recognised by the UEMS-EACCME® for ECMEC®s are deemed to be Accredited Group Learning Activities (Section 1) as defined by the Maintenance of Certification Program of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada.

Information regarding the conversion of EACCME® credits
Credit will be converted based on one (1) hour of participation equalling one credit for all activities. Physicians wishing to convert EACCME® credits to AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™ will be required to access the AMA website at https://edhub.amaassn.org/pages/applications to obtain the necessary paperwork and instructions. Physicians and other health care professionals will be required to pay a processing fee to the AMA. For other countries, please contact the relevant national/regional accreditation authority.

uems-eaccme-logo

Italian Ministry of Health Accreditation (ECM)

This programme has been submitted for CME accreditation from the Italian Ministry of Health.

Event no.: 448542

Crediti ECM: 10

This CME event is subject to AIFA filing pursuant to and for the purposes of art. 124 of D.L. 219/06

Scientific Secretariat

MedEA Medical Education Academy

chloe.xilinas@medeaacademy.com

+ 39 3466277262

Via Monte Napoleone, 8 – 20121 Milan, Italy

medeaacademy.com

Organizing Secretariat

Event Planet Group
Project Manager: Marta Pani
marta.pani@eventplanetgroup.com

www.eventplanetgroup.com

ECM Provider

Event Planet Srl. – Id n. 3255

Project Manager: Federica Barletta

ecm@eventplanetgroup.com

Onsite Registration Fees

 STANDARD FEE – € 350,00 (22% VAT included)

PARTNERS REDUCED FEE – Members of Medical Societies – €285,00 (22% VAT included)

Onsite Registration Fees include

• CME Certificates 
• Certificate of attendance 
• Access to all scientific  sessions 
• Welcome letter, conference kit, name badge, scientific program (QR Code) 
• Coffee breaks
• Lunch breaks

With the support of

University of Naples “Federico II, Naples, Italy

The programme has been developed in partnership with

Addressing male Patients with Hypogonadism and/or infeRtility Owing to altereD Idiopathic TEsticular function (APHRODITE)

Patient Oriented Strategies Encompassing IndividualizeD Oocyte Number (POSEIDON)

Italian Society of Embriology, Reproduction and Research (SIERR)

Italian Society of Fertility and Sterility Reproductive Medicine (SIFES MR)

Med.E.A. is in partnership with

Algerian Society of Reproductive Medicine (SAMERE)

Association of Reproductive Medicine and Surgery (ARMS)

British Fertility Society (BFS)

Brazilian Society of Human Reproduction (SBRH)

Italian Society of Embriology, Reproduction and Research (SIERR)

Italian Society of Fertility and Sterility Reproductive Medicine (SIFES MR)

Italian Society of Gynecology and Obstetrics (SIGO Federation)

Portuguese Society of Reproductive Medicine (SPMR)

Tunisian Society of Gynecology and Obstetrics (STGO)

Turkish Society of Reproductive Medicine (TSRM)

4th World Conference on Luteinizing Hormone in ART:

The Symphony of a New Life

Hybrid, 16 - 17 May 2025

Agenda 16 - 17 May 2025

Chairs

Carlo Alviggi

Carlo Alviggi

Scientific cooordinator - IVF Unit
Chief of Reproductive Endocrinology and Oncofertility Unit
University of Naples “Federico II”
Naples, Italy
Biography
Sandro C. Esteves

Sandro C. Esteves

Androfert – Andrology and Human Reproduction Clinic
Campinas, Brazil
Biography
Robert Fischer

Robert Fischer

Fertility Centre Hamburg
Hamburg, Germany
Biography
Peter Humaidan

Peter Humaidan

Fertility Clinic, Skive Regional Hospital
Aarhus University
Aarhus, Denmark
Biography

Faculty

Carlo Alviggi

Carlo Alviggi

Scientific cooordinator - IVF Unit
Chief of Reproductive Endocrinology and Oncofertility Unit
University of Naples “Federico II”
Naples, Italy
Biography
Leen Antonio

Leen Antonio

University Hospitals
Leuven, Belgium
Biography
Livio Casarini

Livio Casarini

University of Modena and Reggio Emilia (UNIMORE)
Modena, Italy
Biography
Alessandro Conforti

Alessandro Conforti

University of Naples “Federico II”
Naples, Italy
Biography
Sandro C. Esteves

Sandro C. Esteves

Androfert – Andrology and Human Reproduction Clinic
Campinas, Brazil
Biography
Robert Fischer

Robert Fischer

Fertility Centre Hamburg
Hamburg, Germany
Biography
Stefano Guerriero

Stefano Guerriero

University of Cagliari
Cagliari, Italy
Biography
Peter Humaidan

Peter Humaidan

Fertility Clinic, Skive Regional Hospital
Aarhus University
Aarhus, Denmark
Biography
Francesca G. Klinger

Francesca G. Klinger

Saint Camillus International University Of Health Science
Rome, Italy
Biography
Antonio La Marca

Antonio La Marca

University of Modena and Reggio Emilia (UNIMORE)
Modena, Italy
Biography
Marcos Meseguer

Marcos Meseguer

IVIRMA Research Alliance
IVI Valencia IVF Unit
Valencia, Spain
Biography
Biljana Popovic Todorovic

Biljana Popovic Todorovic

Avala Hospital
Belgrade, Serbia
Biography
Sesh K. Sunkara

Sesh K. Sunkara

King's College London
London, UK
Biography
Riccardo Talevi

Riccardo Talevi

University of Naples and IVF Red
Naples, Italy
Biography
Alberto Vaiarelli

Alberto Vaiarelli

Genera Roma
Centre for Reproductive Medicine
Rome, Italy
Biography
Christos Venetis

Christos Venetis

University of Thessaloniki
Aristotle University of Thessaloniki
Thessaloniki, Greece
Biography
Hakan Yarali

Hakan Yarali

Hacettepe University Anatolia IVF and Women’s Health Center
Ankara, Turkey
Biography

International Scientific Committee

Paola Anserini

Paola Anserini

UOS Fisiopatologia della Riproduzione Umana (FRU)
Ospedale Policlinico San Martino
Genova, Italy
Biography
Baris Ata

Baris Ata

ART Fertility Center
Koc University Istanbul
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Biography
Luís F. Vicente

Luís F. Vicente

Portuguese Society of Reproductive Medicine
Coimbra, Portugal
Biography
Kevin McEleny

Kevin McEleny

Queen Elizabeth Hospital
Gateshead and the Freeman Hospital
Newcastle, UK
Biography
Habib Midassi

Habib Midassi

Polyclinique Ibn Annafis
Sfax, Tunisia
Biography
Paula Navarro

Paula Navarro

Ribeirão Preto Medical School
University of Sao Paulo,
Sao Paulo, Brazil
Biography
Amina Oumeziane

Amina Oumeziane

Tiziri IVF Center
Algiers, Algeria
Biography
Emre Pabuçcu

Emre Pabuçcu

Ufuk University School of Medicine
Ankara, Turkey
Biography
Valerio Pisaturo

Valerio Pisaturo

Laboratory Director at Policlinico Umberto I
Rome, Italy
Biography

National Authority

Maria Rosaria Campitiello

Maria Rosaria Campitiello

Head of the Prevention Department of the Ministry of Health
Rome, Italy
Biography
Matteo Lorito

Matteo Lorito

Rector of the University of Naples “Federico II”
Naples, Italy
Biography
Liborio Stuppia

Liborio Stuppia

Rector of the University of Chieti
Chieti, Italy
Biography

national scientific committee

Giuseppe Bifulco

Giuseppe Bifulco

University of Naples “Federico II”
Naples, Italy
Biography
Nicola Colacurci

Nicola Colacurci

Second University of Naples Naples, Italy
Biography
Manuela Simoni

Manuela Simoni

University of Modena and Reggio Emilia
Modena, Italy
Biography

Local Scientific Committee
Coordinator

Ida Strina

Ida Strina

University of Naples “Federico II”
Naples, Italy
Biography

Local Scientific Commitee

Luigi Carbone

Luigi Carbone

University of Naples “Federico II”
Naples, Italy
Biography
Federica Cariati

Federica Cariati

University of Naples “Federico II”
Naples, Italy
Biography
Pasquale De Rosa

Pasquale De Rosa

University of Naples “Federico II”
Naples, Italy
Biography
Raffaella Di Girolamo

Raffaella Di Girolamo

Federico II University
Naples, Italy
Biography
Giuseppe Iorio

Giuseppe Iorio

University of Naples “Federico II”
Naples, Italy
Biography
Antonio Palagiano

Antonio Palagiano

University of Naples “Federico II”
Naples, Italy
Biography
Marika Rovetto

Marika Rovetto

University of Naples “Federico II”
Naples, Italy
Biography

Agenda

Scientific Programme - 4th World Conference on Luteinizing Hormone in ART:
The Symphony of a New Life

FUNDING

· Martin O. Savage ·

Martin Savage is Emeritus Professor of Paediatric Endocrinology at William Harvey Research Institute, Barts and the London School of Medicine & Dentistry, Queen Mary, University of London. He was head of the Paediatric Endocrine Unit at Barts and the London School of Medicine from 1982 to 2007. He has interests in growth disorders, specifically those with abnormalities in the GH-IGF-1 axis and in phenotype-genotype relationships of GH-IGF-1 axis defects, notably GH resistance. He published the first human case of an IGF-1 gene defect in the New England Journal of Medicine in 1996.  His other interests are Cushing’s syndrome and growth in chronic inflammatory diseases. He was General Secretary of the European Society for Paediatric Endocrinology (ESPE) from 1997 to 2004. He has lectured in 60 countries and has published 482 original articles, reviews, textbook chapters and books. In 2007, he was awarded the ESPE Andrea Prader Prize for contributions to paediatric endocrinology and in 2018 he received a Visionary Award from the American Human Growth Foundation. In 2022, he received a Research Excellence Award from the Dr Sulaiman Al Habib Medical Journal in Riyadh, and the British Society of Paediatric Endocrinology & Diabetes James M. Tanner Lifetime Achievement Award. He continues to lecture nationally and internationally.

· Carlo Alviggi ·

Carlo Alviggi earned his MD degree in 1994, from the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Naples “Federico II” in Naples, Italy; he specialized in obstetrics and gynaecology in 1998, and gained a PhD in 2001, from the same university. During his career, he collaborated with: The Imperial College of London, in London, UK; the Laboratory of Immunology of the Italian National Research Council in Naples; and the Autoimmunity and Tolerance Laboratory of the University of California in Los Angeles, CA, USA. This network resulted in various publications, some of which concern new hypotheses on the pathogenesis of pelvic endometriosis. He is now an associate professor in reproductive medicine at the Fertility Unit of the University of Naples “Federico II”. Professor Alviggi’s current research interests are the role of luteinizing hormone (LH) in folliculogenesis; the use of LH-containing drugs in patients undergoing ovarian controlled stimulation for IVF; the pathogenesis of pelvic endometriosis; oncofertility; reproductive endicrinology and the genetics of human reproduction. He has participated in several national and international (phase 2 and 3) multicentric, prospective randomized trials. Professor Alviggi has published extensively and has been invited to lecture at over 200 international meetings dealing with reproductive medicine and gynaecological endocrinology; he is also starter and co-founder of the Poseidon group, an international collaborative network dedicated to low prognosis patients in Assisted Reproductive Technology and vice-President of the “Società Italiana di Fertilità e Sterilità – Medicina della Riproduzione”.

· Sandro C. Esteves ·

Sandro C. Esteves, MD., PhD. is a reproductive urologist who specializes in treating male infertility, particularly its connection with assisted reproductive technology (ART). He is the founder and medical director of ANDROFERT, a fertility center based in Campinas, Brazil, dedicated to male reproductive health. He is also a Collaborating Professor of Urology at the University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Brazil, and an Honorary Professor of Reproductive Medicine at Aarhus University, Denmark.

Dr. Esteves earned his medical degree in 1990 from the Faculty of Medical Sciences at UNICAMP, where he also completed his urology residency. He pursued a research fellowship at the Cleveland Clinic Foundation in the United States, focusing on male infertility. He later obtained a master’s degree in Surgery from UNICAMP and a PhD in Urology from the Federal University of São Paulo (EPM–UNIFESP). With more than 25 years of experience, Dr. Esteves has significantly advanced our understanding of male infertility in both clinical and academic settings. His work has focused on sperm DNA fragmentation, the importance of accurate semen analysis, and the limitations of basic diagnostics. He has underscored the role of varicocele repair and hormonal therapy in improving male fertility, particularly in non-obstructive azoospermia. He is the lead author of the APHRODITE criteria, a novel classification system designed to guide the treatment of men with testicular dysfunction and improve fertility outcomes through personalized hormonal therapy.

Dr. Esteves is a prolific author with over 350 published scientific papers, as well as numerous book chapters, and textbooks. He holds a Hirsch index of 78 and has been cited over 20,ooo times. According to the Science-Wide Author Databases of Standard Citation Indicators (Elsevier/Stanford), he is ranked among the top 1% of global researchers. He is a founding member of the POSEIDON group, which developed new stratification criteria for couples with a low prognosis undergoing ART. In addition to his clinical work and research, Dr. Esteves serves as Associate Editor/Section Editor for several journals, including Human Reproduction, Andrology, Reproductive Biomedicine Online, Frontiers in Endocrinology, and the International Brazilian Journal of Urology. He is also an editorial board member of many journals, including Nature Reviews Urology and International Urology and Nephrology. At ANDROFERT, Dr. Esteves has led initiatives to implement cleanroom technologies and quality management systems (ISO 9001), achieving national recognition for excellence in male fertility care. His team has consistently delivered outstanding results in treating complex cases of male infertility. A frequent speaker at national and international conferences, Dr. Esteves has received numerous research grants and awards. He serves as the head of the Andrology Committee at the Brazilian Society of Human Reproduction and is the Topic Leader of the Male Infertility Group for the WHO Infertility Guidelines.

· Robert Fischer ·

Robert Fischer is the founder and Medical Director of the Fertility Center Hamburg (FCH) in Hamburg, Germany. Dr Fischer trained in obstetrics and gynaecology at the University Hospital of Münster, Germany, from 1979 to 1982 and at the Queen’s Medical Centre, University of Nottingham, UK. In 1983, Dr Fischer pioneered the first German outpatient IVF unit in Hamburg and became its Medical Director. The unit moved to a new location in 1998, and its name was changed to the “Fertility Center Hamburg”.

In July 1998, the Fertility Center Hamburg was one of the first centres, both in Germany and worldwide, to introduce quality management, and it was certified according to the ISO 9001 and accredited for IVF laboratories (ISO 17025). Dr Fischer’s main research interests are in the development of stimulation protocols, luteinizing hormone supplementation, and gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist triggering, as well as further development of quality management systems in IVF centres. He is a founding member of the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology (ESHRE); a founding member of the POSEIDON (Patient Oriented Strategies Encompassing IndividualizeD Oocyte Number) group);  Member of the  Scientific Committee of Excellence in Medical Education (EXCEMED- formerly the Serono Symposia International Foundation) and Scientific director of  Med.E.A.( Medical Education Academy)

· Peter Humaidan ·

Professor Peter Humaidan is a specialist in reproductive endocrinology, professor at The Fertility Clinic Skive Regional Hospital, Aarhus University, Denmark and Honorary professor at Odense University, Denmark. During his scientific work he has primarily focused on developing individualized treatment protocols for the infertile patient. His doctoral thesis (DMSc) explored the role of LH during the follicular and luteal phases in controlled ovarian stimulation. His main fields of interest are triggering of ovulation with GnRH agonist, role of LH during the follicular and luteal phases, role of the female genital tract microbiota for reproductive outcomes, OHSS prevention, and role of sperm DNA fragmentation for spontaneous and assisted reproduction. He is the founder of the international society “The Copenhagen GnRHa Triggering Workshop Group” who introduced the GnRHa trigger in modern IVF, changing trigger policies worldwide. He is co-founder of the POSEIDON group which suggested a new stratification of the poor responder patient, and a past board member of the ESHRE SIG Endocrinology Group. Finally, he is also co-founder of the APHRODITE group which suggested a new classification of the infertile male into five sub-groups who might benefit from medical treatment in terms of spermatogenesis. He is in the Elsevier, Stanford global list of 2% top scientists, and he authored and co-authored 270 + articles (H-index 70, Google Scholar) in international peer reviewed journals as well as chapters in textbooks and the Danish guidelines for OHSS prevention. Peter Humaidan has a wide international scientific network and is frequently invited as a speaker at international conferences.

· Leen Antonio ·

Prof. Dr. Leen Antonio, MD PhD, is a medical specialist in Endocrinology and Diabetes. She works as endocrinologist and andrologist at the department of Endocrinology of the University Hospitals Leuven, Belgium and as an assistant professor at the Department of Chronic Disease and Metabolism of the Faculty of Medicine, KULeuven, Belgium. As a clinician-scientist, her areas of expertise (clinical as well as research research) include andrology, reproductive endocrinology, male infertility, and steroid hormone measurements.

She holds the Clinical Andrologist Certificate from the European Academy of Andrology. She is a member of the guideline committee and male health awareness committee of the European Academy of Andrology and working group leader in COST action ANDRONET. She is associate editor for the Journal of Sexual Medicine.

· Livio Casarini ·

Livio Casarini, Ph.D. in evolutionary biology, is researcher and professor of Molecular and Translational Endocrinology at the University of Modena and Reggio Emilia. Responsible of the research team in basic and translational endocrinology, where he studies the endocrine regulation of human reproduction, glycoprotein and sex steroid hormones and their receptors. His main scientific achievements account for studies of gonadotropinmediated signaling, GPCR heteromerization and allosteric modulation of hormoneinduced intracellular signals.

· Alessandro Conforti ·

Alessandro Conforti obtained his MD degree in 2009 and in 2010 he was a Clinical Visitor at IVF at Hammersmith Hospital, London UK directed by Mr Stuart Lavery.
During his specialization training, he worked in the Minimally Invasive Therapy Unit & Endoscopy Training Center at the Royal Free Hospital as Clinical Research Fellow under the guidance of Mr Adam Magos, Consultant Gynaecologist, from 2012 to 2013.
 
During this period, he worked as Clinical Research Fellow in the Fetal Medicine Unit under the guidance of Mr Demetrios Economides, Head of the Fetal Medicine Unit, at the Royal Free Hospital, London.
 
He acquired his specialty in Obstetrics and Gynaecology in 2015. In 2017, he obtained his PhD from the University of Naples “Federico II” with a thesis in Neuroscience and Reproductive Medicine devoted to the role of genetic variants of gonadotropins and their receptors in controlled ovarian stimulation.
 
From 2019, he is assistant professor in Obstetric and Gynecology at University of Naples Federico II. Dr Conforti research interests focus on Minimally Invasive and Reproductive Gynecological Surgery, Reproductive Medicine, Reproductive genetics, ART and Oncofertility. He has served as ad hoc reviewer for many international journals and was author or co-author of several articles published in international peer-reviewed journals.

· Stefano Guerriero ·

Stefano Guerriero is Full Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University of Cagliari, Italy from 2016 to present. Graduated in Medicine at the University of Pisa, Italy and completed his residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology in 1992 in the same university. Associate Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University of Cagliari from 2006 to 2016 and Assistant Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University of Cagliari, Italy from 1999 to 2006.

Head of Center of Assisted Reproduction and Diagnostics in Obstetrics and Gynecology of Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria of Cagliari from January 2020. He also director from 2018 to 2021 of the postgraduate school of Obstetrics and Gynecology of the University of Cagliari. He is director of the course of study in midwifery of University of Cagliari from October 2024 to the present

He is the author of more than 250 papers listed by Scopus. His h-index at May 2025 is 51 (from Scopus). He guided several research teams and headed a consensus group for the Systematic approach to sonographic evaluation of the pelvis in women with suspected endometriosis the so called “International Deep Endometriosis Analysis (IDEA) group”.

He has been a founding member of the International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology (ISUOG).  Editor of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology from 2011 to 2019 he is now involved in the Editorial Board of the same journal. He has edited three books for Springer including the “How to Perform Ultrasonography in Endometriosis”.

Invited speaker in several international congresses around the world.

· Francesca Gioia Klinger ·

Francesca Gioia Klinger is Professor in Histology at Saint Camillus International University of Health Science in Rome. Francesca Gioia Klinger has a broad background in reproductive and developmental biology, in histology, and stem cell biology, with a primary focus on investigating how chemotherapy treatment can impact on subsequent female fertility and ovarian function. Prof. Klinger possesses expertise on handling and culture oocytes and ovarian follicles, culture of primordial germ cells and stem cells of different sources (embryonic, adult, induced), morphological, biochemical, histological and molecular biology techniques. This expertise has allowed Dr Klinger to establish strong collaborations with national and international research groups. Three main research lines are currently followed in the laboratory: 1) Study of new mechanisms to protect the ovary from chemiotherapic treatments; 2) Effect of LH on damage induced in mouse ovarian somatic cells by chemotherapeutic drugs; 3) Reprogramming mesenchymal stem cells into PGCLCs in vitro.

· Antonio La Marca ·

Antonio La Marca is Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences of the Mother, Children and Adults of the University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Italy. He is the Director of the Residency school in Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University of Modena and Reggio Emilia and Chair of Obstetrics and Gynecology Department at the Policlinico Universitario of Modena His clinical activity covers all fields of reproductive medicine, gynecology and obstetrics. He has taken part in many advisory boards and national and international special interest groups for the elaboration of clinical guidelines for the diagnostic work up of infertile couples as well as their treatment. Professor La Marca’s research interests include ovarian reserve and endocrinology, pharmacological manipulation of ovarian activity, including the prediction of ovarian response in IVF, the personalization of ovarian stimulation protocols, the physiological significance of anti-Müllerian hormone and antral follicle count (including their measurement and clinical utility), and conventional and alternative strategies for ovarian stimulation. He has published extensively in these fields, being recognized as author or co-author of more than 257 peer-reviewed articles (by Scopus) and of note he is the first Author in about 35% of the articles, and is currently principal investigator in several phase 3 and 4 trials and recipient of several competitively assigned national and international grants; his current h -index is 57, with more than 13,600 citations (Scopus). He is Section Editor of the journal Reproductive Biomedicine Online, Human Reproduction, Gynecological Endocrinology and Editor-in-Chief of Minerva Obstetrics and Gynecology

· Marcos Meseguer ·

Marcos Meseguer received his degree in Biological Sciences from the University of Valencia in Spain. He completed a pre-doctoral fellowship at St Mary’s Hospital, Manchester University, United Kingdom, and earned his Ph.D. in Obstetrics and Gynecology as well as the European Doctor Degree from the University of Valencia, Spain. Additionally, he holds a master’s degree in Research Methods, Design, and Statistics from Universidad Autónoma de Barcelona, Spain and Advanced Training Course in Intelligent Digital Health, University of Navarra.

Dr. Meseguer is currently the Global Director of Embryology Research for the IVIRMA group and a Senior Embryologist in the IVF unit of IVI Valencia. He has received numerous accolades, including being nominated twice for the Prize Paper Award of the American Society of Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) and receiving the ASRM Star Award seven times. He has also won the Lalor Foundation International Award from the American Society of Andrology three times, the research award from the Spanish Society of Fertility three times, and the research award from the Spanish Society of Embryology seven times. Additionally, he received the Robert Edwards Prize Paper Award from RBM Online. His primary research areas are embryology and male infertility. He serves as Reviewer for several journals in the field of reproductive medicine and embryology. He is currently in the editorial board of Fertility and Sterility and Section Editor in clinical embryology of Reproductive BioMedicine Online. He is also member of the special interest group in embryology from Spanish Society of Embryology.

As Principal Investigator, his work has been funded through 30 projects sponsored by the Spanish Government, including 12 EUREKA Horizon 2020 EUROSTAR projects, which support high-quality technological projects backed by the European Community. He holds two international patents. According to Stanford University, he is among the world’s most cited researchers. Dr. Meseguer has published over 225 scientific articles, with 13,000 citations and an h-index of 63, including the most cited paper in Human Reproduction. Additionally, he has published 70 reviews or book chapters, edited the first time-lapse book, and made more than 800 presentations at national and international congresses. He has supervised 20 doctoral theses, all awarded “Cum Laude,” and is currently supervising ten Ph.D. candidates. He is also an Associate Professor in the Master’s program in Biotechnology at the University of Valencia.

· Biljana Popovic Todorovic ·

Biljana Popovic Todorovic is a fertility specialist, head of IVF  at Avala hospital in Belgrade. She has worked for a number of years at the Centre for Reproductive Medicine, UZ Brussel in Belgium. Medical degree was obtained at Belgrade University School of Medicine and ob/gyn specialization from the Institute of Gynecology and Obstetrics in Belgrade, Clinical Centre of Serbia.  She obtained her PhD degree in 2004 at the Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Copenhagen on “Optimising rFSH dose regimens for in vitro fertilization”.  She is subspecialist in the field of Reproductive Medicine ESHRE/EBCOG and Clinical Andrologist (European Academy of Andrology), both achieved at the Centre for Reproductive Medicine, UZ Brussel, Belgium. Her clinical research activity is focused on reproductive endocrinology and clinical andrology.  Dr Popovic Todorovic is author of number of publications and book chapters and is a reviewer for several international journals in the field of Reproductive Medicine as well as the ESHRE clinical inspector for the certification of IVF centers and assessor for ESHRE/EBCOG accreditation for subspecialization in Reproductive Medicine. Dr Popovic Todorovic is the chair of the board of directors of Serbian Society for Reproductive Medicine. 

· Sesh K. Sunkara ·

Sesh Sunkara is a Consultant Gynaecologist and Subspecialist in Reproductive Medicine and Senior Clinical Lecturer in Reproductive Medicine at King’s College London, UK. Dr Sunkara is ranked in the TOP 0.18% of published authors worldwide on infertility by expertscape in 2022. She is an RCOG accredited Subspecialist in Reproductive Medicine and Surgery having initially specialised in general Obstetrics and Gynaecology. She is a Fellow of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (FRCOG). Her research work on poor responders undergoing IVF formed the basis for her Doctoral Thesis leading to her Research degree in Reproductive Medicine; Doctor of Medicine (MD) awarded by King’s College London.

In addition to her vast clinical expertise, Dr Sunkara is a highly cited author in the field of Reproductive Medicine and Infertility with several PubMed indexed peer reviewed scientific papers. She has authored of several other articles, book chapters, delivered lectures at several national and international conferences, symposia and workshops.

She is currently Associate Editor for Human Reproduction Update Journal, the highest impact factor journal in the field of Obstetrics and Gynaecology. She was previously Associate Editor of the Human Reproduction Journal from 2014 to 2018. She is on the Editorial Board of Reproductive Biology and Endocrinology Journal, Associate Editor of Gynecologic and Obstetric Investigation Journal and an expert reviewer for several other journals. She is a member of the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology (ESHRE) Guideline Development Group (GDG) for Ovarian Stimulation in IVF and the ESHRE Guideline on Unexplained Infertility.

Dr Sunkara is the lead for research at King’s Fertility, London.

· Riccardo Talevi ·

Riccardo Talevi earned his Master’s in Biology in 1981 and his Ph.D. in Biology of Reproduction in 1985 from the University of Naples Federico II. Throughout his doctoral and post-doctoral studies, his research focused on the physiology of fertilization in marine invertebrates and lower vertebrates. He was invited as a researcher at the Zoological Department, University of California, Davis, USA; the Marine Biological Association in Plymouth, UK; and the Marine Biological Laboratory in Woods Hole, Massachusetts, USA. Additionally, he served as a Visiting Associate Professor at the Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, School of Medicine, Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia.

In recent years, his research at the University of Naples has been dedicated to studying the mechanisms that regulate the interaction and selection of spermatozoa inside the female reproductive tract, the effects of cryopreservation on the biological structures of human oocytes and ovarian tissue, and the optimization of in vitro folliculogenesis. His laboratory is currently developing a methodology for an innovative culture system to enhance human ovarian follicles’ in vitro progression and health.

Riccardo Talevi has been the Principal Investigator of several funded grants. President of the Italian Society of Embryology, Reproduction, and Research, the Italian Federation of Scientific Societies of Reproduction, and the scientific director of public and private assisted reproduction units. He has organized several national conferences on assisted reproduction and has delivered numerous invited talks at national and international conferences. Presently, he holds the position of a professor in reproductive biology and serves as the director of the post-graduate course in biology and biotechnology of assisted reproduction at the University of Naples Federico II, Italy.

· Alberto Vaiarelli ·

Alberto Vaiarelli is a Surgeon, specialist in Obstetrics and Gynaecology, PhD in Experimental Endocrinological and Metabolic Sciences with a Master’s Degree in Andrology and Reproductive Medicine and National Scientific Qualification for First Level University Professor. For more than 15 years he has been dealing with couple sterility and PMA techniques.

Medical and Scientific Coordinator of the Genera Roma center.

National Secretary of the Italian Society of Fertility-Sterility and Reproductive Medicine

Teacher in the disciplinary field of Gynecology and Reproductive Medicine in various Level I-II University Masters and Specialty courses in the Medical area.

Member of the teaching staff for second level Master’s degrees at the University of Pavia.

· Christos Venetis ·

Christos is a Senior Consultant Gynaecologist and Fertility Specialist, an Assistant Professor at the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece and a Visiting Senior Research Fellow at University of New South Wales, Australia. Prof. Venetis is also the Global Head of Clinical Research for Virtus Health, one of the largest organizations of ART services globally. His research has attracted more than 1.5 million dollars in funding in the last 5 years. He has been named in the top 1% of most cited researchers worldwide in Obstetrics and Reproductive Medicine for 2021. He is an author of >115 publications in international scientific journals (h-index: 42, >7800 citations, Google Scholar), of several chapters in books and has been an invited speaker in >200 international scientific meetings. He has co-edited a textbook on the evidence-based management of Recurrent Implantation Failure. For many years he has been a passionate advocate of evidence-based medicine in his field and has been serving as a member of the editorial board of Human Reproduction since 2008. He is also currently a Section Editor for RBM Online, for Reproductive Biology & Endocrinology, an Associate Editor for F&S Reviews, Reproductive Sciences and for Fertility & Reproduction. He regularly lectures in national and international postgraduate (MSc) courses, and he is currently a course coordinator for the MSc in Human Reproduction (Aristotle University of Thessaloniki) and a convenor for the MSc in Reproductive Medicine (University of New South Wales). He has also held several leadership positions, including being a Director for the Board of the Fertility Society of Australia and New Zealand (2019-2023) and the Deputy Chair of the Research Grants Committee of the Royal Australia and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RANZCOG). His research interests include ovarian stimulation, endometrial receptivity, reproductive epidemiology and the health of mothers and babies after ART. He is currently leading a number of research projects in these fields both nationally and internationally and is mentoring junior colleagues.

· Hakan Yarali ·

Professor Hakan Yaralı, MD, is the founder and Clinical Director of Anatolia IVF Center, Ankara, Turkey, one of the busiest private IVF centers in Turkey.  Following medical school and residency training in OB/GYN at Hacettepe University, he did his clinical fellowship at University of British Columbia, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, Vancouver, Canada during 1991-1992.

His special interests are clinical IVF-all aspects, in particular, luteal phase in both fresh and frozen embryo transfer cycles and management of low-prognosis patients. Dr. Yaralı has published over 130+ original articles, 80+ abstracts, 7 book chapters and delivered 80+ lectures worldwide. He has received several national and international awards, including his recognition by Human Reproduction to have produced the top contributing article to Human Reproduction’s 2014 impact factor. Anatolia IVF is currently a part of several ongoing multi-nation and multi-center collaborative projects. Professor Yaralı and his team have been organizing several preceptorship programs, training clinicians and embryologists from diverse countries. Dr. Yaralı was the former president of Turkish Society of Reproductive Medicine (TSRM).

· Baris Ata ·

Baris Ata, M.D., M.Sc., graduated from Istanbul School of Medicine. Following residency training in Obstetrics and Gynecology, he completed fellowship training in Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility at McGill University, Montreal. He is a clinical researcher with a Master’s degree in Clinical Trials from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine. His research focuses on female infertility, endometriosis and clinical aspects of assisted reproduction. He works at the ART Fertility Clinics, Dubai and Koç University, Istanbul, as Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology. He has served and serves on editorial boards of leading journals in the field including Human Reproduction Update, Human Reproduction, Reproductive Biomedicine Online. He has received multiple awards for research, education and quality of patient care by several prestigious national and international institutions, which include Excellence in Gynecological Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility by McGill University, American Society of Reproductive Medicine Star Award, Society of Assisted Reproduction Prize Paper, Top Poster Award at 2023 ASRM Annual Meeting, Koç University Outstanding Faculty, RBMO’s 2023 Robert G. Edwards Prize paper runner up awards. He was an Executive Committee Member of the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology (ESHRE) and currently serves as the President of the Turkish Society of Reproductive Medicine.

· Kevin McEleny ·

Mr Kevin McEleny is a Consultant Urologist working both in Newcastle and at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Gateshead since 2009.

He is also Consultant Andrologist and Clinical Lead for the male factor clinic at the Newcastle Fertility Centre, located at the International Centre for Life, Times Square, Newcastle upon Tyne.

After completing his medical training and PhD at University College, Dublin, he continued his urological training in the Northern Region prior to his consultant appointment.

His main clinical interests include treating and diagnosing men with fertility problems. He organised and delivers the supra-regional Male Fertility service.

His research interests are in the field of male fertility and he is actively involved in male fertility training nationally.

· Habib Midassi ·

Assistant professor of obstetrics and gynecology,Sfax university.Tunisia.(1987)

Mr Habib has completed his higher accreditation in Obstetrics and Gynecology in 1986

He works six years  as a consultant  in the Sfax teatching hospital .in 1988 he has his private office of gynecology and obstetrics.Since 2007 he also works in the IVF  center  of the polyclinic Ibn Annafis ,Sfax.Tunisia.

He has a wide experience in treating infertile couple with the first specialized fertility consultation in Tunisia (1984) .

Besides laparoscopic  Surgery, his professional interests include ovarian reserve ,luteal phase support and medical treatement of uterine fibroids

· Paula Andrea Navarro ·

Associate Professor at FMRP-USP (Human Reproduction Sector, Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics), President of the Scientific Integrity and Good Practices in Research Committee at FMRP-USP, Director of the Assisted Reproduction Laboratory, Deputy Coordinator of the Human Reproduction Center , Coordinator of the Postgraduate Program in Gynecology and Obstetrics at FMRP-USP, President of the Brazilian Society of Human Reproduction (SBRH, biennium 2023 to 2025), Member of the Technical Chamber of Assisted Reproduction of the Federal Council of Medicine and Member of the National Commission Specialist (CNE) of Assisted Reproduction of the Brazilian Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FEBRASGO). Researcher at the National Institute of Sciences and Technology/CNPq – Hormones and Women’s Health, Ad Hoc consultant for FAPESP, CNPq and CAPES. Chief Editor of the Human Reproduction Archives, Associate Editor of Reproductive Sciences and the Brazilian Journal of Ginecology and Obstetrics, Member of the Editorial Board of the Journal of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics and Ad Hoc reviewer for several high-impact scientific journals. Graduated in Medicine from the Faculty of Medicine of Ribeirão Preto at the University of São Paulo (FMRP-USP; 1995), medical residency in Gynecology and Obstetrics at the Hospital das Clínicas de Ribeirão Preto (HCRP-USP; 1999); master’s degree (2000), Research Fellow in Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, Women and Infants Hospital, Brown University and Laboratory for Reproductive Medicine, Marine Biological Laboratory (2001-2002) and PhD (2003) in Health Sciences, Gynecology and Obstetrics, FMRP -USP. Post-doctorate at New York University (2016-2017). His main research interests include: Understanding the etiopathogenic mechanisms of endometriosis-related infertility and other infertility factors; Improving the efficiency of assisted reproduction techniques; Evaluate the efficiency and safety of new strategies (adds on) in assisted reproduction procedures; Improvement of fertility preservation strategies, especially oocyte freezing; Improving access to infertility treatment

· Amina Oumeziane ·

Dr Oumeziane has a Medical Degree from Medicine’s Faculty, Algiers in 1989 and Post Graduate Degree-Specialty in gynecology obstetrics from medicine’s faculty, Algiers in 1994.
Completed her training in reproductive medicine at Cochin hospital Assistance Publique Hôpitaux , Paris.
In 2000, received Academic Diploma of Investigation and Management of Infertility from Medicine’s Faculty Rene Descartes Paris, France in 2007 and Diploma in Basic of Reproductive Medicine and Embryology from International School of Medicine Kiel, Munich in 2012.
Head of Tiziri ivf center in Algiers since 2004.
Founder of of subspeciality certificate in infertility in 2019.
Amina Oumeziane is the founder of the Algerian Society of Reproductive Medicine (SAMERE), served as its First president from 2013 to 2016 and Scientific Director from 2016-until now.

Member of the American Society of Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) and European Society of Human reproduction and Embryology (ESHRE), Reviewer in global reproductive health IFFS journal, RBMO and MEFS journals Amina’s major interest areas: Luteal phase, Agonist triggering, Frozen strategy, poor responders .

· Emre Pabuçcu ·

Emre Göksan Pabuçcu was born in Ankara in 1981. After graduating from TED Ankara Private High School, he started his medical education in Ankara University Faculty of Medicine. He completed his residency program in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Ankara University Faculty of Medicine. He has been working at Ufuk University, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology since 2013 where he received his Associated Professorship in 2017. He has worked at Houston Fertility Specialists Clinic and Texas Woman’s Hospital, Texas (2016) as an observer in the field of preimplantation genetic testing and minimal invasive surgery. He has also been working at Centrum Clinic Private IVF Center, Ankara/Turkey since 2012. He is actively interested in Reproductive Endocrinology and Reproductive Endoscopic procedures.  He is a former board member of International Society of Gynecologic Endoscopy (ISGE). Dr. Pabuçcu is currently a reviewer of several local and international journals about Reproductive Medicine, Endocrinology and Endoscopy. He has published more than 70 papers in peer reviewed journals. 

· Valerio Pisaturo ·

Valerio Pisaturo is a senior clinical embryologist with a Master’s degree in Reproductive Biology and specialization in Clinical Genetics. He is currently the Laboratory Director of the IVF Center at Policlinico Umberto I Hospital in Rome, Italy. Additionally, he holds the position of Adjunct Professor of Clinical Embryology and Genetics and serves as President of the Italian Society of Embryology, Reproduction, and Research (SIERR).

· Manuela Simoni ·

Manuela Simoni trained as a clinical endocrinologist at the Endocrinology Unit of the University of Modena in Italy between 1982 and 1990, following this with training as a molecular endocrinologist at the Institute of Reproductive Medicine of the University of Münster in Germany. She was Professor for Endocrinology and Molecular Biology of Reproduction at the University of Münster from 1998 to 2008, being appointed to her current position as Professor of Endocrinology at the University of Modena and Reggio Emilia in 2008.

Professor Simoni’s research interests are in: gonadotropin and androgen action; testicular function; male infertility; and the endocrinology and pathophysiology of reproduction. She is a member of several societies, including the European Academy of Andrology (EAA) and the European Society of Endocrinology (ESE), serving as the ESE secretary until April 2018, and is active on the editorial boards of several journals in the fields of endocrinology and reproduction. She has been Co-Editor-in-Chief of Andrology, the official journal of the EAA and the American Society of Andrology (ASA), since January 2017.

· Luigi Carbone ·

Luigi Carbone graduated cum laude in Medicine and Surgery in 2012. He got his specialization in Obstetrics and Gynecology at School of Medicine of “Federico II” University of Naples on July 24, 2018 with 50/50 discussing a thesis titled “Increased nuchal translucency and normal karyotype: what fetal outcome? Implication for diagnostic follow-up and counselling.” Then, he performed a PhD in Neuroscience at Federico II University of Naples from November 1, 2018 to January 31, 2022. During this time, he studied the impact of neurological and autoimmune diseases (as multiple sclerosis) on ovarian reserve, especially when evaluated with the most modern software for 3D reconstruction of antral follicle count. He discussed a thesis titled: “RESEarch on ovarian reseRVE among Neurologic patients: the RESERVEN study”. Since then, his main research interests regard chronic and autoimmune diseases with impact on reproductive health, PCOS and reproductive endocrinology. Dr Carbone published more than 60 papers on high quality journals indexed in Scopus. Currently, he is a consultant in the Oncofertility Unit of Federico II University hospital of Naples, Italy.

· Federica Cariati ·

Federica Cariati studied at “Federico II” University of Naples (Italy), obtaining a bachelor’s degrees in Medical Biotechnology. She gained her Master’s degree at the University of Padua (Italy) and doctoral degree at the University of Rome (Italy) in Biotechnology of Human Reproduction. She gained a specialization in pathology and clinical biochemistry at “Federico II” University of Naples (Italy). Since bachelor’s degree, she has been actively involved in the study of embryology. She spent the last year of PhD supervising molecular diagnostics at Reprogenetics UK. Dr. Cariati’s current position is researcher in Researcher in Obstetrics and Gynaecology (MED/40) at Department of Public Health, University of Naples Federico II. 49 published papers, h-Index 15.

· Antonio Palagiano ·

Antonio Palagiano is one of the most renowned Italian experts in human reproduction. In 1990 he founded the Fertility Center of the Second University of Naples together the Professor Nicola Ragucci, with the creation of hundreds of births. He was Director of Clinica Villa Maria Fertility Center in Vico Equense first and then of Sorrento Fertility Center at Clinica San Michele in Piano di Sorrento. He currently performs his surgeries and IVF cases at CFA – Centro Fecondazione Assistita – in Naples, the largest IVF center in southern Italy, with more than 5000 babies born over the last ten years. Professor Palagiano has treated thousands of couples from all parts of Italy affected by unexplained infertility, recurrent miscarriage and various male and female factors, including endometriosis, tubal disease, ovulatory failure, uterine anomalies, and PCOS. Antonio Palagiano graduated in 1981 from the University of Naples, after which he specialized in obstetrics and gynaecology. He then moved to London – Guy’s Hospital, University of London – and Bridge Fertility Center, developing extensive experience in infertility, hormonal disorders and assisted reproductive technology (ART) with Professor Gedis Grudzinskas. He completed his training under the direction of Professor Michael Chapman of the University of New South Wales. Thanks to his specific skills in the health field, in 2008 he was elected honorable member to the Italian Parliament where he was President of the Commission on health errors.
In 2013 he received from the Ministry of University and Scientific Research (MIUR) the qualification as university professor in obstetrics and gynaecology. Professor Palagiano’s research and clinical interests include: ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome; novel treatments for  hyper-responder patients, endometriosis and luteal support for successful implantation in IVF. He has 30 years’ experience directing three fertility centres providing a full range of diagnostic and treatment services. Antonio Palagiano is the past vice-president of the older Italian Fertility and Sterility Society (SIFES-MR) and  is frequently invited to speak at international conferences. He has authored or co-authored over 100 scientific papers, book chapters and articles in national and international journals.

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