Great advances have been made in recent years in the areas of preservation of gametes, molecular biology and its applications to infertility and reprogramming of oocytes. Important factors that can affect outcomes need to be taken into consideration when designing a new IVF lab. It is important that clinicians, embryologists and clinical staff are exposed to these new technologies.   

This course is designed to provide the participant with:

1. Familiarity with methods and results following vitrification of oocytes and embryos.
2. Exposure to the technical aspects as well as outcomes following oocyte reprogramming as it is related to primate cloning.
3. Identification of the effects of in vitro culture on gene expression in oocytes and cumulus cells.
4. Awareness of the environmental toxins that associated with reduced outcomes in IVF labs and how to design a lab to avoid these toxins.

This course is designed to update Reproductive Endocrinologists, Embryologists and Clinical staff on the state of affairs concerning technologies related to vitrification of oocytes and embryos.

The participants will be exposed to the technical aspects related to the recent cloning primate embryos, and the effects of in vitro culture on gene expression in oocytes and cumulus cells.

Environmental toxins that can affect outcomes and the essentials for designing a modern day IVF laboratory will be an important aspect of discussion.