Merrion Fertility Clinic was very well represented at this year’s ESHRE ( European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology) Annual Meeting. The Annual Meeting, the largest of its kind in Europe, is traditionally attended by 12,000 international delegates with cutting edge science and research presented across the 3 day conference. With current Covid19 restrictions the meeting, originally scheduled to take place in Copenhagen, was converted to a virtual conference permitting attendees to watch the presentations from the safety of their own homes / workplaces.
Dr. Lucia Hartigan presented data obtained during her clinical research fellowship at Merrion Fertility Clinic, which aimed to identify new biomarkers of oocyte development potential. Investigating inflammatory proteins present in follicular fluid at egg collection, Dr. Hartigan found that low levels of interleukin (IL)-10 were associated with better oocyte fertilization and embryo development.
Dr. Lucia Hartigan
Dr. Fiona Reidy and Dr. Maebh Horan, also Clinical Fellows at Merrion Fertility Clinic, had their research presented in the format for a poster exhibition.
Continuing Dr. Hartigan’s research, Dr. Reidy further investigated the impact of inflammatory pathways in the female reproductive tract and their association with oocyte and embryo quality, which may influence IVF outcomes.
Dr. Horan’s research is focused on fertility preservation services available for male adolescents undergoing oncology treatment in Ireland. Merrion Fertility Clinic, in collaboration with Children’s Health Ireland, has now established the first structured national sperm freezing service for teenage boys undergoing cancer treatment.
Joyce Leyden, Senior Embryologist at Merrion Fertility Clinic, on behalf of ESHRE’s online magazine reviewed a presentation outlining the latest ESHRE guidelines and recommendations for the use of Time-Lapse Technology within the IVF laboratory.
Joyce Leyden
Joyce’s online article can be found at:
https://www.focusonreproduction.eu/article/ESHRE-News-Annual-Meeting-2020-Montjean
Professor Mary Wingfield (Clinic Director) and Joyce Leyden (Senior Embryologist) have been elected to ESHRE’s Committee of National Representatives for Ireland as Clinician and Basic Scientist, respectively. These positions will be held until 2023 and involve the collation of data of behalf of Ireland and communication with ESHRE as Ireland’s liaison officers.
Merrion Fertility Clinic is very proud of our continued commitment to research within the field of IVF and delighted that work from our Clinic Fellows was presented on the international stage at ESHRE. Well done to all involved, including our collaborators UCD Research Department, National Maternity Hospital and Children’s Hospital Ireland at Crumlin.
