50 Big Debates in Reproductive Medicine

Global experts present thought-provoking debates on over 50 topics in reproductive medicine, one of modern healthcare's most controversial areas.

Roy Homburg (Edited by), Adam H. Balen (Edited by), Robert F. Casper (Edited by)

9781108986601, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 16 December 2021

298 pages
23.4 x 15.6 x 1.7 cm, 0.48 kg

'… an excellent resource for medical practitioners, medical academics, and policy makers with a high level of subject matter knowledge. It opens up conversations about a spread of issues, offering effective illustrative examples and starting points for deeper research … Recommended.' S. M. Weiss, Choice

One of modern healthcare's most controversial areas, reproductive medicine is an emerging discipline that fosters hugely divergent opinions on topics such as laboratory techniques, clinical management and ethical considerations. Highlighting over 50 contentious topics in reproductive medicine, this book presents expertly argued opinions are presented for and against, often with diametrically opposing views about management. Debates such as these are being increasingly used as learning tools, helping participants develop their critical thinking skills and showing that context is vital when making decisions. Issues discussed include limits on IVF provision, ethical queries about sex selection, embryology, and ovarian stimulation. Authors are authorities in their field, combining years of experience with fresh and innovative ideas to structure their arguments. Readers will gain an insight into topical controversies, critically evaluating the different sides to enhance their own clinical practice.

Section I. Limits for IVF
1. Female age 42 years should be the upper limit for conventional IVF/ICSI treatment: For Jane A Stewart
1. Female age 42 years should be the upper limit for conventional IVF/ICSI treatment: Against Tim Child
2. Women with a BMI over 40 should be refused fertility treatment: For José Bellver
2. Women with a BMI over 40 should be refused fertility treatment: Against Richard S Legro
3. Female age of menopause is a fair limit for ovum donation: For Melanie Davies
3. Female age of menopause is a fair limit for ovum donation: Against Gillian Lockwood
4. Social egg freezing should be available up to the age of 40 years: For Ana Cobo
4. Social egg freezing should be available up to the age of 40 years: Against Kylie Baldwin
Section II. IVF Add-ons
5. DHEA is an effective treatment for poor responders: For Cath Hayden and Mariano Mascarenhas
5. DHEA is an effective treatment for poor responders: Against Mostafa Metwally
6. The addition of LH/hCG to FSH improves IVF outcome: For Claus Yding Andersen
6. The addition of LH/hCG to FSH improves IVF outcome: Against Juan Enrique Schwarze
7. Acupuncture is a useful adjuvant for fertility treatment: For Elisabet Stener-Victorin
7. Acupuncture is a useful adjuvant for fertility treatment: Against Isal Robertson and Ying Cheong
8. There is a role for pre-conceptional treatment with CoQ10: For Grace Dugdale
8. There is a role for pre-conceptional treatment with CoQ10: Against Roger Hart
9. There is a role for pre-conceptional treatment with Vitamin D: For Justin Chu
9. There is a role for pre-conceptional treatment with Vitamin D: Against Amit Shah
10. Natural killer cell assay in the blood is a useless investigation: For Ingrid Granne
10. Natural killer cell assay in the blood is a useless investigation: Against Kevin Marron
11. Intra-lipid therapy has a place in infertility treatment: For Hassan Shehata
11. Intra-lipid therapy has a place in infertility treatment: Against Ephia Yasmin
12. The endometrial scratch has had its day: For Sarah Lensen
12. The endometrial scratch has had its day: Against Nick Macklon
13. Corticosteroid therapy is useful in assisting implantation: For Harish M. Bhandari
13. Corticosteroid therapy is useful in assisting implantation: Against Cecilia Petriglia and Filippo Maria Ubaldi
Section III. The Best Policy
14. IVF should be first-line treatment for unexplained infertility of two years duration: For Tim Child
14. IVF should be first-line treatment for unexplained infertility of two years duration: Against Gulam Bahadur
15. Single-embryo transfer should be performed in all IVF cycles: For Mark Hamilton
15. Single-embryo transfer should be performed in all IVF cycles: Against Lewis Nancarrow
16. The freezing of all embryos should be used for all IVF cycles: For Matheus Roque
16. The freezing of all embryos should be used for all IVF cycles: Against Mark Bowman
17. Luteal-phase support should be stopped at the time of a positive pregnancy test: For Juan A. Garcia-Velasco
17. Luteal-phase support should be stopped at the time of a positive pregnancy test: Against Ariel Weissman
18. A natural cycle is the best protocol for frozen embryo replacement: For Raoul Orvieto
18. A natural cycle is the best protocol for frozen embryo replacement: Against Ben Cohlen
19. Pregnancies conceived by IVF should be delivered by caesarean section: For James Hopkisson
19. Pregnancies conceived by IVF should be delivered by caesarean section: Against Claudia Raperport
20. Endometriosis should be suppressed for 6-12 weeks before frozen embryo transfer: For Hassan Sallam
20. Endometriosis should be suppressed for 6-12 weeks before frozen embryo transfer: Against Tom Gunnar Tanbo
21. Infertile patients with endometriosis benefit from surgery: For Stephan Gordts
21. Infertile patients with endometriosis benefit from

Subject Areas: Gynaecology & obstetrics [MJT], Reproductive medicine [MFKC], Medical ethics & professional conduct [MBDC]