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

Taormina, Italy - April 29-30, 2011

ROME, May 5, 2011 - 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.

(Logo: www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20100629/397361 )

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.

    Ufficio stampa
    GAS Communication
    Chiara Ippoliti
    Tel. +39-(0)668134260 - fax +39-(0)668134876
    c.ippoliti@gascommunication.com

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