Following a highly successful 2016 Conference which got glowing evaluations from registrants from 48 countries, the 2017 Conferences promises to be even bigger and better. It again offers a unique opportunity to visit New York City in the very popular pre-Christmas season at greatly discounted hotel costs, and the Organizing Committee again guarantees that the program, will really induce a new mindset of “thinking differently” that will change clinical practice patterns and induce new research concepts. For those who cannot attend the Annual ASRM Meeting in San Antonio, Texas, the Conference for the first time will offer a session on the ASRM’s “most interesting presentations.” We are looking forward to welcoming you in New York City!

PRELIMINARY PROGRAM

DAY 1: Friday, November 17, 2017

Session 1

Welcome and announcement of the “Young Investigator Award”

The “Breaking News” Lecture: Topic and speaker to be determined

The Future of Assisted Reproduction I

Tolerating uncertainty - The next medical revolution
Gamete reconstitution in vitro
Editing the nuclear and mitochondrial human genome
Rejuvenation and expanding life spans by inducing epigenetic changes

Session 2

Successful Reproduction is Immune System - Dependent

Induction of tolerance pathways for establishment and maintenance of pregnancy
The essential contribution of microchimerism to maternal tolerance
Immunology of pregnancy loss
Preimplantation Genetic Screening in association with IVF is:
Useful in improving IVF outcomes
Does not improve IVF outcomes and may actually impair them

Session 3

Paradigm Change I: Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS), a Multi-etiological Epigenetic Syndrome?

Why current PCOS phenotype classifications have remained controversial
Ontogeny of the new hypo-androgenic PCOS phenotype
Translational insights into PCOS from animal models

Session 4

Plenary Session: The Future of Assisted Reproduction II

Mitochondrial replacement in human oocytes carrying pathogenic
mitochondrial DNA mutations
Germline editing and how it was “unmade” in the U.S.
The ovarian function of the FMR1 gene

DAY 2: Saturday, November 18, 2017

Session 5

Plenary Session: Quintessential Questions in Assisted Reproduction

The self-correcting embryo
Activating oocytes in women with POI: Only in vitro or also in vivo?
The potential significance of mTOR inhibition for Assisted Reproduction
Should PGS be used in older women?

Session 6

Paradigm Change II: Preventing Rather Than Treating Female Infertility

The physiology of ovarian aging
Can we prevent female infertility though proactive screening programs?
Can Improved access to fertility care prevent the need for fertility services?
How realistic an option is fertility preservation in preventing future infertility?

How important is the implantation window?

Absolutely important
Relatively unimportant

Session 7

Paradigm Change III: Avoiding in IVF Practice “Fashions of the Moment”

Does mild stimulation make any sense?
Is there any reason for embryo banking but to artificially inflate outcomes?
Are all-freeze cycles, followed by frozen-thawed embryo transfer cycles really improving IVF outcomes?
Manual or automated embryology?

Session 8

Paradigm Change IV: Reading the Medical Literature with Appropriate Skepticism

What minimal evidence should there be before a medical treatment is introduced to routine medical practice?
Advantages and risks of RCTs
Why in IVF outcome reporting based on “intent to treat” is essential
The journal editors’ responsibilities

DAY 3: Sunday, November 19, 2017

Session 9

Plenary Session: Ovarian Physiology

How important is telomere attrition for female infertility?
Preserving female fertility during chemotherapy
What is an old follicle?
The importance of age-appropriate timing of ovulation induction

Session 10

Quick Updates on the “Most Interesting Presentations at 2017 ESHRE and ASRM Meetings” TBA

CLOSING REMARKS: Norbert Gleicher, MD