Serono Symposia International Foundation (SSIF) "Reproductive Ageing: a Basic and Clinical Update"

ROME, May 5, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Serono Symposia International Foundation gathered a team of leading international experts in a reproductive medicine meeting on April 29th and 30th in Taormina, Italy, in order to discuss the topic of reproductive ageing and to review and acquire an overview on the main mechanism of ageing on biological systems. This is the first symposium specifically devoted to ageing in the human female in which the best scientists and clinicians around the world came together to exchange results of their investigations and to propose new strategies to mitigate the effects of age in human infertility.

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From the beginning of the twentieth century, in most areas of the developed world, the average life expectancy has almost doubled. "Childbirth rates are falling below population replacement levels in Europe and East Asia - explained Professor Neri Laufer from Hadassah University Hospital Ein Karem Jerusalem and one of the Scientific organizers of the Congress along with Professor Antonio Pellicer from the University of Valencia - and for the first time in human history, in 2020, the number of people older than 65 years will exceed the number of children under 5 years of age".

As a consequence, ageing has resulted in the appearance of new diseases, and there is a considerable research effort made in order to gain a better understanding of the mechanism associated with cellular and organ senescence and explore new strategies to overcome the effect of ageing and extend healthy life.

"Increased longevity has coupled with important changes in women's social and professional position and all of this has resulted in a delay in the age of childbearing; as many as 50% of patients requesting infertility treatment, now face the problem of reproductive ageing and as a consequence of all of this, female's age is the main cause of infertility today - said Professor Antonio Pellicer "Age affects the machinery of the oocyte and the result is an aneuploid embryo that either does not implant, or results in an abnormal fetus". Fertility decreases with age and is nearly 50% at female age 40 compared with women younger than 25, and reaches 0% by age of 47-8.

"The most prestigious researchers around the world - added Professor Neri Laufer - have analyzed the genes involved in senescence and have introduced provocative theories as to how ageing can be delayed. Another entire day has been devoted to the treatment of the aged infertile woman analyzing the management of older patients in assisted reproduction programs, the use of different medications to improve ovarian response, and the employment of oocyte donation to overcome the problem of oocyte ageing.

The aim of this international congress was therefore, to provide participants with a general overview of molecular mechanism of ageing in both human and animal model systems and a focused update of ovarian and oocyte physiology and factors involved in their ageing.

A summary of current clinical management and therapeutic solutions to preserving fertility in ageing women, has been presented as well as a glimpse into the future of rejuvenative medicine and the possible link between fertility and longevity. Therefore, participants to this meeting have been updated on researches dedicated to the effect of age on ovarian physiology; acquired solutions to optimize ovarian stimulation in aged women and discussed best options to improve assisted reproductive outcomes for women over 40.

"As Continuing Medical Education Partner, Serono Symposia International Foundation is committed to offer its know-how in an International scenario - said Jean Daniel Baki, Board Member and Secretary of the Board of Serono Symposia International Foundation - and we are particularly proud to be able to bring together in this scenario the leaders in the field of reproductive ageing in order to find solutions for older women seeking fertility treatment."

Serono Symposia International Foundation is a non-profit organization based in Geneva (Switzerland). It was founded to disseminate the most innovative achievements and potential developments of medical and scientific research through conferences, training courses, online courses and publications. In particular, it provides Continuing Medical Education for doctors and healthcare professionals by organizing high-level scientific programs. Over the past four decades Serono Symposia International Foundation has organized more than 1500 international scientific congresses and published more than 500 proceedings with the most important international publishers.

    
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