Draft recommendations from ESHRE on recurrent implantation failure advise that the evidence available ‘does not permit robust conclusions to be drawn’. This and a new ‘consensus’ just published conclude that true RIF is uncommon, affecting fewer than 5% of the ART population.

Despite promising results in observational studies, a small RCT in patients with a predicted poor ovarian response has found comparable rates of live birth in those randomised to a same-cycle dual stimulation protocol as in those randomised to conventional stimulation in two consecutive cycles.

A widely reported preclinical study has found that a single dose of a drug which switches off a signalling protein can immobilise mouse sperm for up to two and half hours. Researchers said it showed promise as an easy-to-use on-demand contraceptive for men.

A large Danish population study of almost 30,000 women diagnosed with endometriosis between 1977 and 2017 (and matched with 300,000 controls) has found an association with pregnancy loss and recurrent pregnancy loss, but also that the association strengthened with the increasing number of miscarriages.

Despite isolated efforts to simplify IVF in poor-resource countries, costs of treatment can be as much as 200% of a country’s GDP per capita. Such costs represent ‘significant inequalities’ of access to ART in low-income countries and a denial of access for most people.

Following a large multicentre trial and meta-analyses over the past few years, another RCT has found no benefit from vaginal progesterone in preventing pregnancy loss in women with vaginal bleeding and pain in the first trimester. ESHRE updates its guideline on recurrent pregnancy loss.

Following many years of classifying ovulatory disorders into groups largely based on hormone levels, FIGO has now presented a new classification system based on anatomical origin (hypothalamus, pituitary and ovarian), and with PCOS now defined in a separate fourth group.

A study based on self-reported answers to a questionnaire cross-referred to semen samples and hormone measurements has found that physically demanding jobs and rotating or evening shift working may be associated with higher testicular function in men as seen by higher sperm concentrations and counts as well as higher serum testosterone and estradiol levels.

Nineteen PCCs have been scheduled for this year’s annual meeting, 13 organised by ESHRE’s Special Interest Groups covering a wide range of themes and presenting speakers of international renown. A record number of abstracts have been received for the main scientific programme.

Although most cases of endometrial cancer are diagnosed in postmenopausal women, there is a minority for whom pregnancy remains welcome and possible. This February Campus meeting explored the treatment of endometrial cancer with fertility preservation in mind, with many speakers members of the new guideline’s development group.