EMAR0731c Methods of Assisted Reproduction

Faculty of Medicine
autumn 2025
Extent and Intensity
0/4/0. 2 credit(s). Type of Completion: z (credit).
In-person direct teaching
Teacher(s)
prof. MVDr. Aleš Hampl, CSc. (seminar tutor)
PharmDr. Zuzana Holubcová, Ph.D. (seminar tutor)
MUDr. Eva Mecová (seminar tutor)
MUDr. Volodymyr Porokh, Ph.D. (seminar tutor)
RNDr. Gabriela Tauwinklová (seminar tutor)
Drahomíra Kyjovská (assistant)
Guaranteed by
prof. MVDr. Aleš Hampl, CSc.
Department of Histology and Embryology – Theoretical Departments – Faculty of Medicine
Contact Person: RNDr. Gabriela Tauwinklová
Supplier department: Department of Histology and Embryology – Theoretical Departments – Faculty of Medicine
Timetable of Seminar Groups
EMAR0731c/Sk_1: Thu 11:00–14:20 B 4.24
EMAR0731c/Sk_2: Thu 14:30–17:50 B 4.24
Prerequisites
EMAD0611p Andrology - lecture
EMAD0611p
Course Enrolment Limitations
The course is only offered to the students of the study fields the course is directly associated with.
fields of study / plans the course is directly associated with
Abstract
The main objective of the course is to familiarize students with the basic practical aspects of assisted reproduction methods and the fundamentals of working in an embryology laboratory. During the practical sessions, students learn basic laboratory procedures, including the preparation of culture dishes, handling of culture media, and monitoring of the laboratory environment. Emphasis is placed on aseptic work, the correct use of laboratory equipment, especially incubators, microscopes, and micromanipulation systems, and on learning the basic principles of working with gametes and embryos. Students also learn the basics of micromanipulation, laboratory methods used in gamete collection, their basic evaluation, and preparation for fertilization. A key element of the course is practical training in basic embryological and laboratory skills.
Learning outcomes

After completing the course, students will be able to:

  • understand the basic principles of working with gametes and embryos and adhere to the principles of good laboratory practice, including working with infectious material,
  • perform basic manipulation of gametes and embryos and learn the basics of micromanipulation techniques under the guidance of teachers,
  • perform basic assessment of the quality and maturity of oocytes,
  • distinguish and correctly use different types of manipulation and culture solutions,
  • prepare culture dishes, manipulate culture media, and monitor the laboratory environment,
  • correctly use basic laboratory equipment, especially microscopes, incubators, and micromanipulation systems.

Key topics

  • basic and special methods of assisted reproduction
  • laboratory safety, measurement of laboratory parameters, control of the culture environment, working with consumables, basics of quality control
  • working with a microscope and micromanipulator, basic adjustment, operation, oil refilling
  • preparation of culture and manipulation dishes, training in micromanipulation techniques for working with oocytes and embryos
  • handling oocytes, their transfer, sorting with an emphasis on accuracy, speed, and safety
  • searching for and evaluating oocyte-cumulus complexes, enzymatic denudation of oocytes, evaluation of oocyte maturity and quality in transmitted and polarized light
  • conventional in vitro fertilization
  • setting up micromanipulation pipettes, selecting suitable sperm for ICSI and sperm immobilization, basic training in microinjection and hatching
  • principles of laboratory documentation

Study resources and literature
    recommended literature
  • WHO laboratory manual for the examination and processing of human semen, 5th ed., 2010.
  • Magli, C, Jones,G.M., Lundin,K., Van den Abbeel E. and The Special Interest Group on Embryology: Atlas 27, Suppl. 1.
  • http://atlas.eshre.eu/
  • Alpha Scientists in Reproductive Medicine and ESHRE Special Interest Group of Embryology
  • Coward K., Wells D.: Textbook of Clinical Embryology, 1st ed., Cambridge 2013.
  • The Istanbul consensus workshop on embryo assessment: proceedings of an expert meeting. In Hum Reprod. 2011 Jun;26(6):1270-83.
  • In vitro fertilization. Edited by Kay Elder - Brian Dale. 2nd ed. New York: Cambridge University Press, 2000, xii, 310 p. ISBN 0521778638. info
Approaches, practices, and methods used in teaching

The main element of the course will be practical teaching in the teaching laboratory, during which latex microspheres of various sizes (oocyte and sperm models), mouse oocytes, sperm, and reproductive organs (or biological material from other animal species) will be used.


Method of verifying learning outcomes and course completion requirements
100% participation in the exercises is required. Completion is by practical examination and credit.
Language of instruction
Czech
Further Comments
Study Materials
Listed among pre-requisites of other courses
The course is also listed under the following terms autumn 2023, autumn 2024.
  • Enrolment Statistics (recent)
  • Permalink: https://is.muni.cz/course/med/autumn2025/EMAR0731c