Course Description

This course is a step-by-step guide to ICSI, with a critical appraisal of the technique’s efficacy.

It will include a description of indications for ICSI, technical aspects of sperm preparation (including sperm from epididymis or testis) and preparation of oocytes before injection, oocyte and sperm selection, as well as the injection itself. The set-up and optimization of the ICSI equipment and procedure will be discussed. The course will also focus on how to set up a training program and use KPIs to monitor quality on the ICSI program.

Minimal expertise required for participation in the Course

Participants must have experience of working in an Andrology and/or IVF Laboratory and consequently have general embryology/andrology experience.

Course Format

The course will be taught online, and the teaching methods will be adapted accordingly.

The course consists of 4 modules of 60 minutes each including lecturing, exercises in breakout sessions, and interactive questioning and answering

Educational methods

Lectures, discussions, breakout sessions in micro-groups for discussion and exercises. The participants will be provided with a course Syllabus.

The participant must have adequate Wi-Fi, camera, and audio to engage during the Course. Courses will be run via the Zoom and Teams platforms.

Target Audience

Lab technicians, clinical embryologists, and research scientists.

Course Objectives

  • To understand the process of fertilization via ICSI and how it differs from in vivo fertilization
  • To learn about traditional and emerging indications for ICSI
  • To learn about the laboratory preparation for ICSI, from equipment to media and consumables
  • To understand the role of sperm preparation in ICSI and learn about current and emerging sperm preparation techniques
  • To follow the ICSI process step by step
  • To follow the steps subsequent to the ICSI procedure and understand fertilization outcomes
  • To understand the factors that impact on ICSI outcomes
  • To learn the importance of, and approaches to, real time selection of the spermatozoon and the oocyte
  • To learn how to implement an ICSI training programme and monitor KPIs
  • To look to the future of ICSI, including alternative techniques and automation
  • To get tips and tricks and troubleshooting
  • To provide a forum to discuss best practice in ICSI

Expected outcomes

At the end of the course, the participant is expected to have strenghtened and developed the following skills and abilities:

  • Requirements for fertilization via ICSI
  • Which patients benefit from ICSI
  • Detailed overview of semen and and surgically recovered sperm preparation techniques
  • Detailed overview of oocyte preparation
  • Detailed step by step ICSI procedure, including equipment set-up
  • Outcomes at fertilization check
  • Current and emerging sperm selection techniques
  • Current and emerging approaches to oocyte selection
  • The impact of lab environment, consumables and media on ICSI outcomes
  • The impact of the operator and ICSI technique on ICSI outcomes
  • ICSI training and competence
  • Monitoring ICSI KPIs
  • The future of ICSI

Certificate of attendance

Participants can obtain a certificate of attendance after completing the Course evaluation at the end of the Course.

Fee

The course fee for participation in this course is EUR 200. In order to maintain the high standards of teaching in this course, the number of participants will be limited to a maximum of 12 participants.
The registration will be done on a first come, first serve basis.

Registration

Find the full yearly schedule on this page.