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 3 PEER credits by the American Board of Bioanalysis under course number 66469.

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.

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: 3.00

NEEDS ASSESSMENT and IDENTIFICATION OF PRACTICE GAP

Rapid advancements in cryobiology and reproductive cryopreservation technologies have created a growing need for clinicians, embryologists, and laboratory personnel to deepen their understanding of the scientific principles and technical competencies required for safe, effective embryo and gamete preservation. As vitrification has replaced slow-freeze methods as the clinical standard, many practitioners require updated knowledge of cryobiological fundamentals—including cooling and warming dynamics, vitrification mechanisms, device selection, and the historical development of modern techniques—to ensure optimal outcomes for embryos, oocytes, and reproductive tissues. At the same time, variability in laboratory practice highlights the need for strengthened training in quality control measures, troubleshooting strategies, and the procedural nuances that influence specimen viability. The expanding use of frozen samples across clinics also underscores the importance of standardized workflows for importing and releasing cryopreserved material, proper handling techniques, and an understanding of the logistical and regulatory challenges associated with domestic and international shipping. Furthermore, clinics must be equipped to counsel patients on their options when discontinuing long-term cryostorage and maintain rigorous quality-management systems to prevent, detect, and respond to tank failures. Collectively, these gaps demonstrate a clear need for comprehensive education that integrates cryobiological theory, practical laboratory skills, risk mitigation, and ethical and operational considerations to support safe, consistent, and high-quality cryopreservation practices in reproductive medicine.

EDUCATIONAL OBJECTIVES

At the conclusion of this educational activity, participants should be able to:

1.       Summarize foundational cryobiological concepts, including cooling and warming dynamics, and discuss how these principles inform effective cryopreservation strategies for human embryos, oocytes, and reproductive tissues.

2.       Describe major vitrification methods, understand their development and historical context, compare the advantages and limitations of commonly used devices, and summarize progress in vitrification of oocytes and embryos up to 2025.

3.       Identify quality control factors that optimize clinical vitrification outcomes, recognize common problems and their solutions, and describe the critical role of quality management in preventing and preparing for cryostorage system failures.

4.       Interpret standardized checklists for the import and release of frozen samples, demonstrate correct handling techniques for incoming and outgoing materials, and explain the difference between primary shipping options, including challenges unique to domestic and international transport.

5.       Summarize patient options for discontinuing cryostorage, understand regulatory and operational aspects of cryopreserved sample management, and recall evidence-based strategies to ensure safe, compliant long-term storage.

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

Chevis N. Shannon, DrPH, MBA, MPH, MERC: Nothing to Disclose

Sarah Ramaiah, PhD, MSEd: Nothing to Disclose

Jeffery Hayes, PhD: Nothing to Disclose

Maina Gvakharia, M.D., PhD: Nothing to Disclose

Content Developers and Reviewers 

Mitchel Schiewe, M.S.,Ph.D.:  California Fertility Partners - Full-Time Company Employee (Self)

James Stachecki, PH.D.:  Innovative Cryo Enterprise II LLC - Company Officer (Self)

Steve Mullen, BS:  Xeno Diagnostics - Part-time employee (Self)

Juergen Liebermann, M.SC.,PH.D.; HCLD:  Fertility Centers of Illinois / US Ferti - Full-Time Company Employee (Self); Cooper - KOL (Self); Nexpring - KOL (Self)

Kimball Pomeroy, PH.D.: Ivy Fertility - Company Officer (Self); Ivy Fertility - Full-Time Company Employee (Self)

Don Fish, BS:  IVF CRYO - Company Officer (Self); IVF CRYO - Direct Stockholder (Self); IVF CRYO - Full-Time Company Employee (Self)

Speaker/Presenters

James Stachecki, PH.D.:  Innovative Cryo Enterprise II LLC - Company Officer (Self)

Mitchel Schiewe, M.S.,Ph.D.:  California Fertility Partners - Full-Time Company Employee (Self)

Juergen Liebermann, M.SC.,PH.D.; HCLD:  Fertility Centers of Illinois / US Ferti - Full-Time Company Employee (Self); Cooper - KOL (Self); Nexpring - KOL (Self)

Don Fish, BS:  IVF CRYO - Company Officer (Self); IVF CRYO - Direct Stockholder (Self); IVF CRYO - 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.