ACTIVITY NUMBER: EMBM001
ACTIVITY TITLE: Reproductive Biology and Embryology Basics
ACCREDITATION STATEMENT
The American Society for Reproductive Medicine is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education to provide continuing medical education for physicians.
PEER Credits
The American Society for Reproductive Medicine sponsors Professional Enrichment Education Renewal (PEER) credit through the American Board of Bioanalysis. This activity has been pre-approved for 10 PEER credits by the American Board of Bioanalysis under course number 66465.
To claim PEER credits:
1. Complete the course
2. Complete post-course evaluation:
a. Fill in all required fields.
b. If you hold a Florida license and plan to claim ABB PEER credits, be sure to include your license information in the required fields at the end of the evaluation.
3. ASRM will submit all learner completions to ABB for issuance of PEER credits. PEER credits are posted within 30 days of completion.
ABB issues PEER credits directly; ASRM certificates or transcripts cannot be used to claim credits with ABB.
CREDIT DESIGNATION STATEMENT
The American Society for Reproductive Medicine designates this enduring material for a maximum of 10 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
Release Date: October 15, 2014
Expiration Date: December 30, 2025
Reviewed and Updated: March 1, 2026
Expiration Date: March 1, 2029
Estimated Time to Complete Activity: 10 hours
NEEDS ASSESSMENT and IDENTIFICATION OF PRACTICE GAP
This course addresses a clear and timely need for advanced, integrated education in reproductive physiology and assisted reproductive technologies (ART). As reproductive medicine increasingly incorporates molecular biology, genetics, epigenetics, and omics-based technologies into clinical practice, there is a growing gap between foundational scientific knowledge and its practical application in patient care. Clinicians and laboratory professionals must not only understand core principles of female and male reproductive physiology, but also be able to integrate developmental, cellular, and molecular mechanisms to interpret complex clinical scenarios. In particular, critical processes such as oocyte development, fertilization, preimplantation embryo development, and implantation biology require a systems-level understanding to recognize how disruptions contribute to infertility, abnormal implantation, adverse ART outcomes, and long-term pregnancy health risks.
Additionally, rapid advances in genomics and epigenetics have heightened the need for deeper competency in genetic structure and function, chromosomal abnormalities, DNA repair, and the biochemical regulation of DNA methylation during early embryonic development. Environmental and clinical factors—including ovarian stimulation protocols, embryo culture conditions, oxidative stress, and apoptosis—may influence epigenetic regulation, yet many practitioners lack structured training to critically evaluate these risks and implement mitigation strategies. Finally, as omics technologies become more accessible in reproductive medicine, professionals must be equipped to interpret complex datasets, assess translational validity, and apply evidence-based decision-making when incorporating these tools into ART practice. This course is designed to close these knowledge and competency gaps by providing an integrated, clinically relevant framework that strengthens scientific literacy, supports responsible innovation, and ultimately improves reproductive health outcomes.
EDUCATIONAL OBJECTIVES
At the conclusion of this educational activity, participants should be able to:
1. Identify female reproductive anatomy and histology to explain the structural organization and
functional relationships of the reproductive organs.
2. Discuss hormonal regulation of the female reproductive system, including synthesis and feedback control within the hypothalamic–pituitary–ovarian (HPO) axis and its role in coordinating ovarian and uterine cycles.
3. Explain the processes of oogenesis and folliculogenesis, including meiotic maturation, ovulation, and associated endocrine changes.
4. Describe the physiological mechanisms underlying fertilization and implantation, linking gamete development to early pregnancy establishment.
5. Discuss endocrine transitions across the female reproductive lifespan, including the hormonal and physiological basis of menopause and its clinical manifestations.
TARGET AUDIENCE
This activity is designed to meet the educational needs of new and experienced clinicians, laboratory scientists and allied health professionals with an interest in ART laboratory technologies for the evaluation and treatment of the infertile couple.
ACGME COMPETENCIES
Medical Knowledge
Patient Care
Professionalism
SUCCESSFUL COMPLETION REQUIREMENTS
Successful completion of this educational activity requires the learner to:
· View a course overview page containing all CME and disclosure information, including acknowledgment of any commercial support and disclosure of unlabeled use.
· Complete a 10-question pre-exam prior to each module. Learners should note any pre-exam questions answered incorrectly for clarification during module study.
· Participate in the interactive activity: audio narration is synchronized with lesson materials and can be advanced, stopped, or reversed as desired.
· Complete a post-exam after each lesson with feedback of correct/incorrect answers, scoring a minimum of 70% in two attempts.
· Complete the evaluation survey.
· Print certificate of completion.
DISCLOSURES FOR PLANNERS AND FACULTY
Planners
Stephanie Nichols-Burns, M.S, P.H.D, HCLD: Nothing to Disclose
Sarah Ramaiah, PhD, MSEd: Nothing to Disclose
Chevis N. Shannon, DrPH, MBA, MPH, MERC: Nothing to Disclose
Jeffery Hayes, PhD: Nothing to Disclose
Maina Gvakharia, M.D., PhD: Nothing to Disclose
Content Developers and Reviewers
Kausi Sellakkannu, MD, ELD, TS: Nothing to Disclose
Charlene Alouf, PhD HCLD MBA: Invitae - Direct Stockholder (Self); Invitae - Full-Time Company Employee (Self); Genomic Prediction - Full-Time Company Employee (Self)
Renato De Mayrinck Salgado, Ph.D.: Spring Fertility (Self)- Full-Time Company Employee
Denny Sakkas, PH.D.: Legacy - Options (Self); TMRW - Options (Self); AUTOIVF - Options (Self); EMD Serono - Speaker's Bureau (Self); ALIFE - Options (Self); Intelon - Options (Self); Vitrolife - Honoraria (Self); Vitrolife - Speaker's Bureau (Self)
Arthur Chang, PH.D., HCLD, ELD: Nothing to Disclose
Cengiz Cinnioglu, PH.D.: NextGen Genetics MSO, LLC - Direct Stockholder (Self); NextGen Genetics MSO, LLC - Company Officer (Self); NextGen Genetics MSO, LLC - Full-Time Company Employee (Self)
Speakers/Presenters
Jasmyn Johal, MD: Nothing to Disclose
Kausi Sellakkannu,MD, ELD, TS: Nothing to Disclose
Charlene Alouf, PhD HCLD MBA Invitae - Direct Stockholder (Self); Invitae - Full-Time Company Employee (Self); Genomic Prediction - Full-Time Company Employee (Self)
Olga Chaplia, PH.D.: Nothing to Disclose
Cengiz Cinnioglu, PH.D.: NextGen Genetics MSO, LLC - Direct Stockholder (Self); NextGen Genetics MSO, LLC - Company Officer (Self); NextGen Genetics MSO, LLC - Full-Time Company Employee (Self)
(*contributed to the original course only)
Planners
*Susan Gitlin, PhD: Ownership/Stock: Merck; Walgreen Company
*Andrew R. La Barbera, PhD: Nothing to Disclose
*Richard H. Reindollar, MD: Nothing to Disclose
*Nancy Bowers, BSN, RN, MPH: Nothing to Disclose
Content Developers and Reviewers
*Morgan Amick, BS: Nothing to Disclose
*Anthony Anderson, DSc: Nothing to Disclose
*Marlane Angle, PhD: Consultant: Previvo
*C. Brent Barrett, PhD: Consultant: ReproSource Fertility Diagnostics
*Charles Bormann, PhD: Nothing to Disclose
*Bruce Carr, MD: Grant/Research: AbbVie, Medicines 360; Speakers Bureau: Shionogi, Noven, Pfizer
*Marcelle Cedars, MD: Grant/Research: Nora Therapeutics; Ferring Pharmaceuticals
*Grace Centola, PhD: Consultant: New England Cryogenic Center; Cryos International-NY, Central Park Fertility
*Carli Chapman, MS: Nothing to Disclose
*Ri-Cheng Chian, PhD: Other: Cooper Surgical/SAGE Company
*Susan Crockin, JD: Consultant: BMS, Merck, Prometheus; Advisory Board: GSK, CoStim, Aveo; Speakers Bureau: Pfizer Canada, BMS
*Judith Daar, JD: Nothing to Disclose
*Erma Drobnis, PhD: Nothing to Disclose
*Kathryn Go, PhD: Nothing to Disclose
*Kay Graff, MS: Consultant: Steptoe Therapeutics; Employee: Pelton & Crane
*Elizabeth Grill, PsyD: SouthEastern Fertility: Speakers Bureau
*Shalini Gunawardena, RN, BSN: Walgreen's Nursing Advisory Board
*Lee Higdon, PhD: Nothing to Disclose
*Kristen Ivani, PhD: Nothing to Disclose
*Sangita Jindal, PhD: Nothing to Disclose
*Emily Jungheim, MD: Spouse is paid consultant: Abbvie, Genentech, Spectrum, Celgene; Speakers bureau: Genentech
*Levent Keskintepe, DVM, PhD: Nothing to Disclose
*Ann Kiessling, PhD: Nothing to Disclose
*Rebecca Krisher, PhD: Grant/Research: Serono
*Martin Langley, BS: Nothing to Disclose
*Michael Lee, MS: Consultant: Cook Medical
*Bruce Lessey, MD, PhD: Nothing to Disclose
*Dennis Matt, PhD: Nothing to Disclose
*David McCulloh, PhD: Consultant: Infertility and IVF Medical Associates of Western NY; ReproART; Biogenetics Corporation; Employee: NYU Langone Medical Center
*Peter McGovern, MD: Nothing to Disclose
*Yves Menezo, DSc, PhD: Consultant: Nurilia
*Z. Peter Nagy, MD, PhD: Direct stockholder: My Egg Bank; Paid consultant: Origio, Fertilitech; Speakers bureau: Merck MSD
*Mike Neal, MSc: Nothing to Disclose
*Fariba Nehchiri, MSc: Nothing to Disclose
*Sergio Oehninger, PhD: Nothing to Disclose
*Kimball Pomeroy, PhD: Nothing to Disclose
*Thomas (Rusty) Pool, PhD: Other: Auxogyn
*Marc Portmann, MHA, MT: Nothing to Disclose
*Catherine Racowsky, PhD: Consultant: Nora Therapeutics
*Michael Reed, PhD: Nothing to Disclose Lisa Rinehart, JD: Nothing to Disclose
*William Roudebush, PhD: Nothing to Disclose
*Denny Sakkas, PhD: Consultant: Good Start Genetics; Other: Fertilitech, Origio
*Mitchel Schiewe, PhD: Nothing to Disclose
*Ira Sharlip, MD: Consultant: Pfizer, Lilly, Absorption, Vyrix
*Scott Smith, PhD: Product Review: Biocoat
*Amy Sparks, PhD: Nothing to Disclose Laurel Stadtmauer, MD: Nothing to Disclose
*Jason Swain, PhD: Consultant: Irvine Scientific
*Tyl Taylor, MSc: Consultant; Spouse employed: Biodiseño
*Helen Tempest, PhD: Nothing to Disclose
*James Toner, MD, PhD: Speakers bureau: Merck
*Nathan Treff, PhD: Nothing to Disclose
*Tom Turner, MS: Nothing to Disclose
*Matthew VerMilyea, PhD: Consultant: Auxogyn, Irvine Scientific, Genea Biomedx
*Michael Vernon, PhD: Nothing to Disclose
*Diane Wright, PhD: Nothing to Disclose
*Hang Yin, PhD: Nothing to Disclose
It is the policy of ASRM to ensure balance, independence, objectivity, and scientific rigor in all its educational activities. All faculty/speakers participating in this activity are required to disclose any relationships they may have with companies whose products or services could be mentioned, allowing participants to determine the objectivity of the presentations. The content and views presented in this activity are those of the faculty/speakers and do not necessarily reflect those of ASRM. Any discussion of the off-label, experimental, or investigational use of drugs or devices is not allowed. The disclosure statements were reviewed by the CME Subcommittee and the Executive Program Committee of ASRM, and any perceived conflicts of interest were resolved in accordance with the ACCME’s policies and Standards of Integrity and Independence in Accredited Continuing Education.
STATEMENT OF SUPPORT
No commercial support has been provided for this activity.