The 40th edition of ESHRE: IBSA strengthens its commitment to reproductive medicine

The 40^th edition of the annual meeting of ESHRE (European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology) – one of the leading international events for professional operators and researchers in the field of reproductive medicine, which this year saw an attendance of over 11,000 – was held from 7 to 10 July 2024.

This year, IBSA reinforced its commitment by organising two scientific sessions on topics of great interest, underlining the importance of the personalisation of therapeutic treatments around the needs of each patient.

HIGH ATTENDACE AT IBSA’S SYMPOSIUM

Over 2,500 people attended IBSA’s symposium Adenomyosis in ART: Uncharted Territory, showing strong interest in the topics covered. Moderated by experts Dominique de Ziegler (France) e Peter Humaidan (Denmark), the symposium featured speakers Caterina Exacoustos and Paolo Vercellini (Italy) e Juan Garcia Velasco (Spain).

A condition that affects women from puberty to childbearing age and beyond, adenomyosis is due to the presence of ectopic endometrial cells infiltrated into the muscular wall of the uterus (myometrium). Adenomyosis is characterised by a chronic inflammatory and estrogen-sensitive condition that in turn is characterised by a thickening of the uterine wall, which can be localised and nodular (adenomyoma), or affect large areas of the uterine wall, often at posterior level, thus causing diffuse adenomyosis. When present, symptoms include diffuse enlargement of the uterus, heavy menstrual bleeding, dysmenorrhea and pelvic pain.

The relationship between adenomyosis and subfertility is controversial, but the most recent evidence supports a causal association: adenomyosis appears to reduce the chances of conception and increase the chances of miscarriage.

The symposium explored the management of adenomyosis within ART (Assisted Reproductive Technology) programmes. The discussions focused on the latest diagnostic techniques, the different types of adenomyosis and the potential therapies that can be used to improve the outcomes of ART techniques in patients suffering from this condition. Some interesting aspects emerged from the expert reports: today adenomyosis can be diagnosed, through diagnostic imaging, and no longer just by hysterectomy; the impact of adenomyosis on live birth rate is still being studied; like endometriosis, adenomyosis is associated with progesterone resistance, therefore an intensive luteal support in the early stages of embryonic implantation in ART programmes has proven useful in compensating for the presence of the condition.

THE IMPORTANCE OF LH ACTIVITY IN OVARIAN STIMULATION PROTOCOLS: AN EXCHANGE OF OPINIONS BETWEEN EUROPEANS AND AMERICANS

The second scientific session, entitled A Transatlantic Perspective to Optimise ART Results Through hCG-driven LH Activity, promoted a debate on the rationale of using LH activity in the various ovarian stimulation protocols by European and American specialists. This session analysed the role of LH activity in human folliculogenesis and focused on which categories of patients undergoing ART protocols could benefit from the activity of exogenous LH administered with menotropin.

Both treatments that do not use menotropin and protocols that use menotropin – alone or in combination with other gonadotropins – were comparatively taken into consideration. It is interesting to point out that the US, leader in the execution of ART programmes, often sets benchmarks for success in this field by including menotropin in their protocols.

IBSA has always chosen to invest in activities that promote the scientific debate, in order to offer specialists insights and high-profile educational content. It’s a commitment that the company also implements through the IBSA Educational Program, the platform dedicated to scientific updates in the field of reproductive medicine.