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The Spanish Society of Gynaecology and Obstetrics has published a master’s degree dissertation written by Instituto Bernabeu biologist, Rafael Sellers. The research work entitled ‘Clinical outcomes in elective vitrification of embryos’, was managed by the Director of the Embryology Unit, Dr Jorge Ten.

The research is part of an extensive project submitted to the 1^st National Congress of the Spanish Infertility and Sterility Society

Instituto Bernabeu was present at the 1^st Spanish Sterility and Infertility Congress (SEISEGO) that was held within the framework of the Spanish Society of Gynaecology and Obstetrics (SEGO) event. Dr Rafael Bernabeu, Medical Director of the reproductive medicine clinic, is the society’s vice president and, as a prominent expert in the field, he opened the congress by moderating the first round table debate entitled ‘Updates in the basic analysis of the sterile partner’ along with Ana Belén Rodríguez.

Dr Andrea Bernabeu, a gynaecologist at Instituto Bernabeu, has assessed the most significant clinical data presented to the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology (ESHRE) congress and their importance.

Research is our lifeline. Each and every step is an accomplishment in prognosis for patients who have all the odds against them. In its October edition, Human Fertility, the prestigious scientific magazine mentioned research work undertaken exclusively by Instituto Bernabeu scientists that opens the doors to accelerating diagnosis in patients who have experienced implantation failure and recurrent pregnancy loss. It also helps prognosis with a view to providing early treatment for these patients.

The Rafael Bernabeu Welfare Foundation participated in the 4^th edition of the National Rare Diseases Congress held in Ibi, a municipality of Alicante, on 30^th and 31^st October. It addressed the role of assisted reproduction treatment in avoiding transmission of genetic disorders. The congress aims to give people with rare diseases and experts in the field visibility, as well providing a forum for sharing information and analysis.

Dr Andrea Bernabeu, a gynaecologist at Instituto Bernabeu, participated in the ‘Family Medicine: the present, the past and the future’ symposium held on 26^th October. It was organised within the framework of the 36^th National Congress of Medicine Students (CNEM), 14^th international edition, held in Alicante between 24^th and 26^th October. This collaboration falls within the framework of the Instituto Bernabeu and Miguel Hernández University (UMH) Chair of Reproductive and Community Medicine. One of the main objectives of the Chair is to ensure primary prevention of infertility and to provide general practitioners, gynaecologists and the general population with information on fertility. 

Instituto Bernabeu actively participated in the workshops on reproductive medicine held in Castilla La Mancha, Albacete, on 19^th and 20^th October. The workshops were sponsored by Ferring. The aim was to share knowledge and latest updates. Lydia Luque, a gynaecologist and head of the clinic in Albacete, presented the event. It involved participation by doctors and biologists from 4 private clinics as well as an additional four specialist hospitals located in the Castilla La Mancha area that have human reproduction departments. “The aim was to review, refresh and share knowledge in order to progress, improve processes and improve management,” summarises Dr Luque.

Andrea Bernabeu, a gynaecologist at Instituto Bernabeu, coordinated the Personalisation and Individualisation of Reproductive Medicine Treatment workshop held in Valencia. Dr Bernabeu was part of a group of experts who participated in the 3^rd edition of the Clinical Workshops on Reproductive Medicine. Specialists from different clinics shared their knowledge and updates based on scientific and clinical evidence. The aim was to improve approaches to patients. 

The President of the Rafael Bernabeu Foundation and Medical Director of Instituto Bernabeu presented six scholarships for a total amount of 15,000 euros to students with excellent academic results and limited financial resources in order to help them continue with their studies. Within the framework of its commitment to society, the Rafael Bernabeu Foundation awarded scholarships worth 2,500 euros each to six medicine, nursing and biotechnology university students in order to cover the cost of fees and study material.

Instituto Bernabeu once again participated in the Congress of Pharmacy Students (CEFA). It held its 14^th edition this year. Future pharmacists got to know the Instituto Bernabeu clinic headquarters in Alicante and gained first-hand knowledge of the role that pharmacists play in assisted reproduction treatment.

In addition to its patient treatment, healthcare and research work, teaching is part of Instituto Bernabeu’s DNA. This month, Instituto Bernabeu will participate in a postgraduate course run by Castilla La Mancha University for pelvic floor specialists. The course is aimed at physical medicine and rehabilitation experts in order to give them a comprehensive view of pelvic floor pathologies.

Instituto Bernabeu and the Faculty of Pharmacy at the University of Castilla La Mancha (UCLM) are organising the 3^rd edition of the Master’s Course in Male Infertility that will be given at UCLM and at the reproductive medicine clinic. The aim is to broaden knowledge of reproductive medicine and the focus will be on the issues that men have when trying to conceive and the fact that this factor is equally as significant as infertility in women.

Dr Joaquín Llácer, an expert in ovarian reserve and Co-Director of Instituto Bernabeu, and Dr Ángela Llaneza, a gynaecologist and specialist in epidemiology at Instituto Bernabeu, participated in the 2^nd Symposium on Controversies in Reproduction and Perinatal Medicine held on 27^th and 28^th September in the San Carlos Clinical Hospital in Madrid.

The Instituto Bernabeu is helping out once again this year in the University Master’s on Community Pharmacy Direction and Management & Optimization of Pharmaceutical Care organised by the Universidad Miguel Hernández (UMH). Doctor Andrea Bernabeu has taken part in this fourth edition that deals with aspects related to pregnancy and maternal-child health with theoretical and practical classes. In addition to the classrooms this year, there is a new showroom laboratory that has been fitted out like a real pharmacy so that the students can get some hands-on experience. The personal assistant of the Instituto Bernabeu, Tamara Ruiz.

Instituto Bernabeu and the University of Alicante (UA) will manage the 7^th edition of the Master's Course in Reproductive Medicine for the 2018-2019 academic year. The aim is to provide experts from the world of health sciences with excellent and comprehensive training in the field of reproductive medicine.

Instituto Bernabeu has submitted a clinical study to the Spanish Fertility Society (SEF) congress that proposes ovarian sensitivity as a new marker in assisted reproduction.

What is the impact of the father’s age on his child’s health? This question was the backbone of the professional gathering that took place on 13^th September in the Instituto Bernabeu auditorium, Alicante. 

The new Instituto Bernabeu Group newsletter is now available, dedicated to our last reserach work accepted at FFER congress 2018.

Instituto Bernabeu has submitted three items of research work to the French Federation of Reproduction Studies (FFER) Congress that will be held in the French city of Lyon between 12^th and 14^th September. The event will bring together over 600 experts from all over the world who will exchange information on the latest updates in fertility and reproduction.

Research performed by Instituto Bernabeu has looked into whether fresh transfer or deferred transfer through cryopreservation followed by defrosting is the best strategy for carrying out pre-implantation genetic diagnosis for aneuploidies (PGT-A).

As a part of our continuous training programme, an intensive theoretical and practical seminar entitled ‘Advanced Workshop in Embryo Biopsy: Techniques and tips for usage’ will take place. The workshop is aimed at reproduction biologists who are specialised in micro-handling techniques.

During assisted reproduction treatment, conventional ovarian stimulation is performed over the first few days of the menstrual cycle. However, recent research shows that it can begin on any day of the menstrual cycle. The advantage is a decrease in the total time before treatment can begin. During the research, the oocyte retrieval results using the two strategies were similar.

Instituto Bernabeu has carried out research work with the aim of understanding if it is possible to predict the success of a cycle of egg donation by analysing two parameters: the number of mature donated oocytes obtained following ovarian stimulation and the quantity that are eventually fertilised.

Based on the positive results obtained, research performed by Instituto Bernabeu in Albacete entertains attempting ovarian stimulation in patients with low oocyte retrieval levels. The strategy is a step taken prior to egg donation.

With the incorporation of genetic techniques, it has been possible to identify a greater number of microorganisms that cannot be analysed with a normal microbiological culture and that make up the vaginal microbiome. A powerful tool to identify the microbiome are the massive sequencing techniques. The analysis of the microbiome is important since, among other things, in the field of reproductive medicine it is possible to detect if there is a microorganism that can facilitate or hinder the implantation of the embryo.

Since one of the parameters that enable us to measure assisted reproductive treatment efficiency is embryo morphology, its research is highly critical.

A study performed in the molecular biology and genetics laboratory at Instituto Bernabeu, IB Biotech, and submitted to the Spanish Fertility Society (SEF) congress has concluded that there is an increased risk of embryo abnormalities in chromosomal segments in young women.

Research carried out by Instituto Bernabeu has concluded that the use of heparin, an anticoagulant drug, improves prognosis in courses of in vitro fertilisation treatment (IVF) and ICSI (intracytoplasmic sperm injection) in patients who have experienced recurrent pregnancy loss or repeated implantation failure.

Instituto Bernabeu has submitted research work managed by Belén Lledó, Director of the clinic's Genetics Unit, to the Spanish Fertility Society (SEF) congress. The research involved analysis of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) in embryos and its link to the success of in vitro fertilisation treatment (IVF).

Instituto Bernabeu has submitted research work to the 32^nd Spanish Fertility Society (SEF) National Congress held in Madrid. The aim of the study is to gain an understanding of drugs under conditions that differ from authorised use for courses of in vitro fertilisation (IVF) in patients with poor response, the frequency with which they are used in these cases and a review of the legal side to their administration. The research work is entitled: ‘Use of drugs under different conditions to those authorised within the framework of a course of in vitro fertilisation: a review of legal aspects and experience of use in patients with poor ovarian response.’

Parents' main aim in life is to ensure that their children are born healthy and that they, as parents, have the chance to ensure this happens. With this in mind, the Rafael Bernabeu Foundation makes its resources and research available so that people faced with health issues and also financial difficulties can try for children who are free of the illness they are carrying. The Rafael Bernabeu Foundation, Instituto Bernabeu's social wellness programme has, for many years, been offering preferential service when providing treatment for associations and social entities, including members of the Association in Support of the Mentally Ill of Alicante (Asociación Pro Discapacitados Psíquicos de Alicante, APSA). 

‘Patients with poor ovarian response have a different distribution in the follicle-stimulating hormone (FSHR) genotype.’ This is the title of the research work that Instituto Bernabeu gynaecologist, Yasmina Ben-Aicha, presented at the Spanish Fertility Society (SEF) congress. The leading national infertility event’s scientific committee has accepted a total of 16 pieces of Instituto Bernabeu research work, 12 of which are oral presentations given by their lead authors. 

The Instituto Bernabeu Group will once again attend the world's most significant reproductive medicine congress, both in terms of the work that is presented and in the number of specialists who attend.

Scientific research carried out by Instituto Bernabeu looked into the chances of a successful pregnancy using implanted embryos with chromosome mosaicism. It is a controversial issue because these embryos have a chromosomal abnormality in some cells and, until recently, these abnormalities were not detected. Thanks to current high-precision next-generation sequencing or NGS techniques and array-CGH during pre-implantation diagnosis for detecting aneuploidies, chromosomal abnormalities can be detected with precision in chromosome segments as well as in complete chromosomes.

Once again this year, Instituto Bernabeu was present at the 6^th edition of the Mediterranean Forum, a national gathering organised by Merck under the title ‘Human Reproduction’ where gynaecologists learn about the latest in the field. The Director of the Reproduction and Genetics Guidance Unit at Instituto Bernabeu, Dr Andrea Bernabeu, was present at the event where exchanges on very latest in the field of reproductive medicine take place. Her presentation was on new forms of ovarian stimulation. The gynaecologist covered new approaches using personalised treatment, new protocols and new means of administering pharmaceutical drugs.

The group of clinic’s aim, as it travelled to France in order to hold an informative event, is to make Instituto Bernabeu known beyond our frontiers and open up new horizons to foreign patients who are unable to get pregnant naturally.

The Rafael Bernabeu Foundation has launched the fifth edition of its €45,000 university student scholarship programme.

The 32^nd edition of the Spanish Fertility Society (SEF) National Congress held in Madrid has handed the Instituto Bernabeu Group an award for its work entitled ‘Engagement of nursing staff in assisted reproduction treatment: what is patient opinion?’ under the communication promoted to presentation category. The award was given by the Scientific and Organisation Committee of the 7^th edition of the National Nursing Congress that is held at the same time as SEF. The study in question was one of the 16 pieces of scientific research that Instituto Bernabeu presented at the leading national infertility congress. The clinic attends the congress every year and contributes work from its numerous fields of research.

The Medical Director at Instituto Bernabeu, Dr Rafael Bernabeu, recently participated in the Progress in Reproductive Medicine: Focus 2018 congress held in Italy. The event was held in Palermo, the Italian capital of science and life 2018, and it brought together leading international specialists in the field of reproductive medicine. His presentation was entitled ‘The potential of implanting mosaic embryos’ and it covered the next generation sequencing technique, the precision of which facilitates detection of embryos with mosaicism (they have cells with chromosomal abnormalities) and analysis of the chances that they have of implanting.

The medical codirector of Instituto Bernabeu, doctor Llácer, has participated in a masterclass in Greece attended by gynaecology professionals from across Europe. The expert on low ovarian reserve and director of the specific unit at Instituto Bernabeu spoke to his colleagues about the new personalized strategies for ovarian stimulation and subsequent handling in the obtaining of oocytes.

Rafael Bernabeu Charitable Foundation of Instituto Bernabeu, has celebrated the awards ceremony of the VIII Children's Drawing Contest on Motherhood. The reproductive medicine clinic Charitable Foundation, has presented the winners of the two categories, from 5 to 8 years and from 9 to 12 years with a diploma and a gift voucher of 300 euros, and with a diploma and a gift certificate of 100 euros to the two second places. The awards ceremony was held in the Sala Fnac Boulevard in Alicante and also another 16 children have received a diploma and a special gift.

As a part of our continuous training programme, an intensive theoretical and practical seminar entitled ‘Advanced Workshop in Embryo Biopsy: Techniques and tips for usage’ will take place. The workshop is aimed at reproduction biologists who are specialised in micro-handling techniques.

Instituto Bernabeu gynaecologist, Andrea Bernabeu, participated in the closing ceremony of the 3^rd edition of the Community Pharmacy Management and Optimisation of Pharmaceutical Care Master's Degree at the Miguel Hernández University (UMH) in Elche, a course on which she has participated as a lecturer. The closing ceremony of the third edition and official inauguration of the fourth edition was held in the ADDA auditorium in Alicante. It coincided with the 8^th edition of the National Congress of Community Pharmacists organised by SEFAC, the Spanish Society of Family and Community Pharmacies.

Instituto Bernabeu was present at the Italian Fertility, Sterility and Reproductive Medicine Society (SIFES) congress held in Riccione in Italy between 17^th and 19^th May. Paolo Cirillo, an Instituto Bernabeu gynaecologist, participated by giving two presentations at the gathering where experts in the field of infertility medicine meet. 

Instituto Bernabeu took a total of 16 pieces of research work to the 32^nd edition of the Spanish Fertility Society (SEF) National Congress. This is a significant quantity of work and, at the group of reproductive medicine clinics, research is an intrinsic part of its activity that is also put into practice during day-to-day provision of healthcare.

Eleven of the lines of research were presented as oral communications over the course of the event held between 16^th and 18^th May in Madrid’s convention centre where experts in reproductive medicine met.

The international congress entitled ‘A new approach to nursing in fertility’ held in the Instituto Bernabeu auditorium on 11^th and 12^th May brought together experts in infertility nursing from thirteen different countries. During the gathering, Dr Rafael Bernabeu, Medical Director at Instituto Bernabeu, highlighted the important role of nursing in reproductive medicine, a field in which Spain is a worldwide leader.

On 11^th and 12^th May, Instituto Bernabeu Alicante will organise a gathering of sixty experts in reproductive medicine nursing and auxiliary personnel with specialist skills in infertility. The most recent trends in this field will be covered in an international congress organised by Instituto Bernabeu and held in its headquarters in Alicante.

Juan Carlos Castillo, gynaecologist at the Instituto Bernabeu, has participated in a webinar (a talk given via internet in real time) offered by the English egg donation platform EggdonationFriends.com. The aim was to inform and respond to doubts sent by people around the world about infertility. 

Dr Joaquín Llácer, Medical Co-Director of Instituto Bernabeu, gave a speech at a conference held in Poland on treating patients with poor ovarian response and personalising courses of treatment.