Current Topics in Assisted Reproduction in the Czech Republic

Assisted reproduction is a very dynamic part of reproductive gynaecology with fast changes in therapeutic approaches resulting from intensive research supported by private or public companies. This progress brings also new questions regarding ethical, legal or therapeutic issues. At the 26th Czech-Slovak symposium of assisted reproduction in Brno, several interesting topics of assisted reproduction were presented. During two days, more than 350 specialists discussed current topics related to gynaecology, embryology, andrology, genetics and sexology. From this fruitful discussion we chose the following topics that we consider to be the most important: (1) “Soft” versus “standard” stimulation protocols for IVF (2) Use of exogenous and endogenous progestins in IVF stimulation protocols (3) Cryopreservation and transplantation of ovarian tissue - state of the art and situation in the Czech Republic (4) Selection of spermatozoa with fragmented DNA: practical recommendations (5) Artificial activation of oocytes (8) Access of single and lesbian women to assisted reproduction technologies and possibility of their reproduction in the Czech Republic. Panel conclusions were presented at the end of the conference, which had great attendance, invoked lively commentaries and produced some definitive consensus. Certain issues remained inconclusive and these matters will be the subject of further discussion in future. This is a summary of the most important theses from this field in the Czech Republic in 2017.