Page 4 - FSANZ UPDATE Spring 2022

President’s Report: New data increases
The prevalence and impacts of male infertility have been brought into sharp focus with the release of the latest ANZARD report on assisted reproductive technology in Australia and New Zealand.
The 2020 data, detailed in this edition of our newsletter, revealed that male infertility was a factor in a third of IVF cycles undertaken by couples trying to conceive.
In the past, the focus of fertility treatment was predominantly on the female patient, despite a man being equally needed to create a baby. The reasons for male factor infertility are unknown in 75 per cent of cases reflecting our lack of understanding of the reasons for poor semen quality.
For the first time, we are collecting data on the causes of male infertility meaning we can finally study its impact more closely. We can now link the ANZARD data with studies on male factor infertility in other countries allowing us to expand global knowledge on the prevalence and possible causes of the condition.
With further research and education, it is likely that genetic studies will reveal new risk factors that can lead to male infertility. It may not necessarily lead to curative treatments for unexplained male infertility, but it will help people affected to deal with the issue as it will for those providing treatment and counselling.
The latest ANZARD report has again highlighted how Australia and New Zealand are among world leaders in efforts to decrease multiple birth rates from IVF. This is through the commitment of Australasian IVF units to single embryo transfer while providing assurance to patients through the fact that live birth rates from IVF continue to rise.
The ANZARD data has also highlighted how females in same sex relationships and single women are increasingly able to access assisted reproduction in their attempts to start their families. Clearly, we are providing safe and responsible ART services to a significant proportion of people trying to have children in less traditional family settings.
FSANZ Sydney 2022
Our Society’s 2022 conference at the International Convention Centre in Sydney in late July and early August was a great success with a record 823 attendees – 109 more than the previous highest number of registrations.
This not only reflected the appeal of Sydney as a destination, but also eagerness of our members to participate face-to-face in the excellent program put together by a dedicated local organising committee.
After a series of disruptions through the COVID-19 pandemic, it was wonderful to be able to come together again in our traditional collegiate format to engage with outstanding speakers and discuss latest developments in the science and medicine of assisted conception along with our professional nursing and counselling streams.
Luk Rombauts
Success of the recent Sydney conference augurs well for the FSANZ 2023 meeting on the Gold Coast next June
The party associated with the conference dinner lived up to and beyond expectations as we celebrated a return to normality in the company of colleagues.
The success of the Sydney conference augurs well for the FSANZ 2023 meeting on the Gold Coast from 3 to 6 June and I look forward to seeing you all there.
Life Members
This edition profiles new FSANZ Honorary Life Members and I congratulate Peter Benny, Michael Chapman, Roger Cook, Phillip Matson, David Molloy and John Yovich on their elevation among exemplars in our Society.
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