Module description

Fifteen percent of couples are affected by infertility, and approximately half of these involve a male factor. The goal of this program is to provide physicians and practitioners involved in Reproductive Medicine with the physiological aspects of sperm production and differential diagnosis of male infertility, techniques and interpretation of the endocrine workup, office evaluation (history and physical) and appropriate laboratory testing. Medical and surgical management of the infertile male will be discussed and a review of the techniques of sperm retrieval for subsequent micromanipulation. The genetic basis of several disorders that cause male factor infertility and methods to select the best sperm for assisted reproduction will also be addressed.

Learning objectives:
Upon completion of this program, the participant will be able to:

• Describe male reproductive anatomy, normal spermatogenesis, and the process of sperm transport, capacitation, and fertilization.
• Construct a differential diagnosis of male infertility and subdivide the main diagnostic categories into distinct entities based upon the results of additional tests and physical examination findings.
• Devise a therapeutic plan for the infertile male and select what medical and surgical treatments for male infertility are effective.
• Discuss the most recent advances in microsurgery (vasovasostomy and epididymovasostomy), and the indications and operative techniques for sperm retrieval from both the epididymis and testis.
• Discuss the methods to select sperm for ICSI.
• Discuss aspects of fertility preservation and cryopreservation.

Target audience:
Physicians specialized in Ob./Gyn., endocrinology, andrology, and urology.

CME accreditation
This module has been submitted for CME Accreditation from the European Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (EACCME). This course may include data on investigational uses of drugs and other treatments not approved by EMEA, FDA and other National or International Health Authorities in the indications mentioned.

Please, contact us regarding the CME credits for this module.