Improving Assisted Reproductive Technologies through Identification of Oviductal Components

Описание: Infertility/subfertility, the inability of a couple to conceive a child after 1 year of trying, is a fairly common health problem which affects 10-15% of couples in the U.S. and 70 million couples worldwide (with increasing frequency). The most commonly used treatment option, ICSCI (Intracytoplasmic sperm injection), has only a 32% success rate. This presentation will discuss some of the causes of male factor infertility and highlight the potential application of the results of recent sperm function research that could significantly increase the current success rate of assisted reproductive technologies (ART).

Dr. Martin-DeLeon is Trustees Distinguished Professor of Biological Sciences at the University of Delaware. Her research interests focus on reproductive genetics, specifically genes involved in sperm development and function. Recent emphasis has been on sperm membrane proteins and the interaction of sperm with the secretions of the reproductive tracts. Her work has been funded by the NIH (National institute of Health) and the NSF (National Science Foundation). She served as a member of the NIH Recombinant DNA Advisory Committee, NIH Study Sections, an NSF Review Panelist, and on the Executive Council of the American Society of Andrology where she was recognized for her scientific contributions to Andrology in 2006. A member of the editorial boards of four journals in Andrology/Reproduction, she has published widely in the field, and has three patents issued or pending.