"Advanced semen analysis incl. DNA-fragmentation"

 Friday 27 September 2013 at 10:00 (registration from 09:30)

Aalborg University

Fredrik Bajers Vej 7, 9220 Aalborg, room no. B2-109

Assessment of sperm has over the years by many been regarded as something secondary to assessment of ova, oocytes and embryos. Often the most inexperienced of the laboratory staff have been asked to evaluate the semen sample. It is our belief that the outcome of subfertility treatment could be improved considerably, if semen and sperm assessment would be taken more seriously.

This may not be as simple as it may sound. This workshop will deal with subjective and objective semen analysis. The lack of accuracy and standardization using the older subjective method can make it difficult, if not impossible, for physicians to interpret semen analysis results or to compare results obtained from different laboratories. We will discuss the mistakes, which can inadvertently be made during a subjective analysis, and the advantages – and disadvantages – of an automated CASA (Computer Aided Sperm Assay) system.

Based on this background, an extremely important subject, particularly in patients on the border line of fertility is that it is (wrongly) assumed that a two day period of abstinence is required for both good semen analysis as well as for artificial fertilization/ART procedures. Recent research on humans as well as a very wide group of animals show that an ejaculate obtained relatively few hours after a first ejaculate is better than the first. Sperm DNA- fragmentation has become an important criterion to judge sperm integrity and quality.

DNA fragmentation can be an indicator for life style problems causing infertility and could also result in disease such as diabetes, pathological obesity, etc. hence being of economic importance.

Fertility treatment and fertility preservation are important issues for endangered species. Aalborg Zoo and Aalborg University are playing important roles in this field, where knowledge from the human experience is being utilized.

The workshop will cover the above subjects and is of interest to industries dealing with products and techniques.

Expected outcome

Scientific lectures by globally known specialists in the field of fertility will provide an update on the current status of fertility diagnosis, treatment and preservation. This allows for collaboration and the import of new science and technologies.

Industries working on sperm diagnosis instruments and kits and culture media will have a chance to introduce their products to fertility specialists in Denmark.

"Gender Differences in Visceral Pain"

Date
19 and 20 September 2013

Venue
Dronninglund Slot, Slotsgade 8, 9330 Dronninglund

Program

Preliminary program for Gender Differences in Visceral Pain

Registration

Please click here to register

Organisers
Associate Professor Parisa Gazerani, Center for Sensory Motor Interaction, Aalborg University, Denmark

Professor Asbjørn M. Drewes, Department of Gastroenterology, Aalborg University Hospital, Denmark

Description
Global Year Against Pain has been launched by the International Association for the Study of Pain (IASP) from Oct 2012 to Oct 2013 with this year's focus on "Global Year Against Visceral Pain". Along with this global initiative, the European Year against Visceral Pain has also started to give a special priority to visceral pain. The program has been launched by the European Federation of IASP Chapters (EFIC). The overall aim of this annual campaign is to attract global attention on pain that originates in or near the internal organs of the body to improve diagnosis and treatment of visceral pain among all specialist areas in cardiology, pulmonology, gastroenterology, urology, gynecology and internal medicine. In addition, visceral pain has been subject to much less research than pain from tissue damage or nerve injuries and requires dedicated pain researchers to focus on this type of pain. Visceral pain conditions in women should receive higher attention as those are not only more prevalent and persistent, but also may be more insidious, complex, and difficult to diagnose or treat. This places women at greater risk than men for prolonged episodes of pain from internal organs associated with a low quality of life and more sick leaves. Chronic visceral pain can also pose a significant burden to health care system and society and needs a general awareness for public.

Purpose
The Symposium objective is to address main concepts in visceral pain with a focus on visceral pain conditions, diagnosis, challenges and treatments. Many details in this context have not yet been clarified. For instance detailed mechanism of sex related differences and the issue of why women are affected more frequently than men. Clarification and addressing these issues will ultimately lead to better diagnosis and treatment strategies and will definitely enhance patients' quality of life.

Form and presentations
The symposium includes presentations by invited speakers from both academia and pharmaceutical industries discussing cutting edge topics in visceral pain and gender differences.

Target audiences and expected outcome
The symposium is designed to attract both clinicians and researchers in the field of visceral pain, management and drug development and those who are particularly interested in sex related differences in pain. We expect to have both national and international participants. PhD students, residents, and clinical fellows are also encouraged to participate.

Please click here for more information