Postgraduate - UnitMCE5101 - Infertility and treatment strategies

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Synopsis

This unit will provide information about the infertile patient and the assisted reproduction technologies used to treat infertility. Students will identify the procedures performed in an IVF clinic and the roles of those involved. They will study the normal events of oocyte production in vivo and learn how these events are manipulated to increase the success of in vitro technologies. The unit also focuses on the outcomes of assisted reproductive technologies and its impact on the offspring generated. The theoretical basis of techniques such as oocyte collection and handling, oocyte maturation in vitro, preparation of oocytes for IVF, standard insemination, assessment of fertilization, and the handling, assessment, selection and transfer of embryos are presented and discussed in lectures, tutorials, and seminars. On-campus students will demonstrate knowledge of OHSE issues and aseptic techniques, and develop skills in laboratory maintenance, use of equipment, superovulation of mice and collection of embryos, embryo handling (mouse) and semen analysis (human).

Outcomes

On completion of this unit students will:

1. Recognise and explain the cause and impact of infertility and infertility treatment on patient couples and offspring
2. Identify and describe the roles of ART clinic staff: clinicians, scientific directors, embryologists, nurse coordinators, day surgery nurses, counsellors
3. Be able to describe, trouble-shoot and audit the clinical processes in human assisted reproduction, including techniques for manipulating follicular growth, retrieving oocytes, analysing and preparing semen for insemination, assessing embryo development and embryo transfer
4. Identify causes of human male infertility and explain the treatment options, using hormonal and IVF based therapies
5. Demonstrate a comprehensive knowledge of OHSE regulations
6. Apply basic laboratory skills, such as performing dilutions, calculating the concentration of a solution, determining the molarity of a solution, testing pH and osmolarity, preparing media for in vitro culture and correct use and maintenance of equipment such as incubators, centrifuges and microscopes
7. Show competence in super ovulating and mating mice, harvesting gametes and creating embryos using in vitro fertilization techniques, collecting and culturing embryos and assessing their stage of development and development potential
8. Show competence in analysing human semen.

Assessment

Written examination (40%)
Essay (27%)
Practical assessment: hands on skills (on campus only) and quizzes (33%)

Chief examiner(s)

Associate Professor Peter Temple-Smith

Contact hours

24h contact per week (lectures, tutorials, forums, self-directed study, practical skills
training (on-campus)