News and Updates

ASPIRE members are encouraged to have their say about draft global consensus guidelineson minimal standards of surrogacy.  

It is an initiative propelled by the Asia Pacific Initiative on Reproduction and a global collaboration between ASPIRE, the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology (ESHRE), the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM), and the International Federation of Fertility Societies (IFFS).

Consultation on the draft statements (which number 21) is open for feedback for a limited period between 7 November 2026 and 21 November 2026. They can be accessed at https://aspire.quickridge.in/survey/global-consensus-surrogacy

The statements attempt to tackle inconsistent or inadequate regulation of surrogacy, particularly in settings where there is disempowerment of women and girls including violenceand/or abuse and exploitation of surrogates.

Australian fertility specialist, Dr Clare Boothroyd, the Immediate Past President of ASPIRE, said the guidelines address specific issues including:

• awareness and avoidance of human trafficking;
• the welfare of children born as a result of surrogacy;
• conditions regarding consent and support for surrogates, including their physical and psychosocial welfare; and
• the physical and psychological status of intending parents and their capacity to raise children resulting from surrogacy into adulthood.

“These are truly landmark guidelines applying to surrogates, surrogacy agencies, commissioning parents and medical experts, and they will provide guidance for policy makers,” Dr Boothroyd said.

“It is a unique document representing an international consensus of the professionals involved in surrogacy and I urge members of all the societies and the IFFS to participate in the consultation period to provide perspectives from the Asia Pacific region and beyond.”

ASPIRE was well represented at the 2026 Scientific Congress and Expo of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine in Baltimore, Maryland from 24 to 28 October.

Dr Clare Boothroyd, ASPIRE’s Immediate Past President attended the Congress with other Board members Professors Arthur Chung, Jung Ryeol Lee and Yutaka Osuga.

Additionally, Professor William Huang presented on behalf of ASPIRE in an ASRM Congress roundtable session entitled Decoding Spermatogenesis: Real Time Assessment of Meiotic Activity During TESE.

The roundtable session featured researchers and clinicians evaluating the quality and quantity of spermatogenesis in a testicular sample.

Professor Huang from the National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University in Taipei has renowned clinical expertise in male reproductive medicine and andrological surgery.

He said: “The roundtable session demonstrated how to conduct an onsite, real-time assessment of the quality and quantity of spermatogenesis in a given testicular sample retrieved via testicular biopsy, TESE or mTESE. 

“Interpretation can be completed in less than three minutes. This approach offers solid evidence of the presence of mature sperm or post-meiotic germ cells and fosters better communication between andrologists and embryologists. 

“It also significantly saves time and cost while providing high sensitivity and specificity for confirming mature sperm. The methodology is particularly useful for intraoperative decision making during mTESE.”

The ASRM Scientific Congress and Expo were presented to the theme of Discovery, Innovation and Advancement featuring dynamic sessions, global perspectives, real-world approaches and collaboration on the discoveries and innovations that are driving our field forward.

The importance of the patient’s voice and things people wished their fertility teams understood came into sharp focus in a fascinating ASPIRE ED Talks presentation in September.

It featured an insightful conversation between Rebecca Moore, Chair of ASPIRE’s Reproductive Nurses Special Interest Group, and patient advocate Kim Unwin with the pair addressing issues including:

• why patient experience matters;
• anxiety peaks in waiting for treatment outcomes;
• communication and focus on tone, language and empathy
• assumptions and education gaps;
• making time and helping patients ask questions; and
• how small shifts make a big difference in patient centred care.

Rebecca said while protocols and outcomes are important what really matters to patients is how care is delivered by nurses, doctors, embryologists and counsellors.

“It is so important to think about the words we use and their tone, and our acknowledgement in quiet moments of the challenging journey that patients have embarked upon,” she said.

“We need to provide support and guidance and deliver news with clinical and emotional confidence and empathy,” she explained.

Kim acknowledged the efforts of fertility clinics to understand patient perspectives saying the future of fertility journeys would be better for it.

“A successful pregnancy is the ultimate goal in fertility treatment, but at times patients worry that they are not being heard, especially those who are on long journeys of cycle after cycle.

“From a clinical point of view things can be quite explanatory from one appointment to the next, but there is a lot of waiting with unknowns and anxiety.

“Emotionally it weighs your down and whether or not you have a baby you are a changed person after fertility treatment.”

Kim’s lived experiences and Rebecca’s thoughtful questioning revealed valuable insights into what people wish their fertility teams truly understood about uncertainty, loss of control, communication and emotional well-being during treatment.

The ED Talks episode called on fertility professionals to consider how greater awareness and empathetic communication can transform patient experience, trust and care.

It was another example of the value of the ED Talks podcast series featuring in-depth discussions, thought-provoking interviews and valuable takeaways on various topics related to reproductive health and infertility.

49 participants from 9 countries, alongside 14 faculty members and 12 sponsors, came together in Bangkok on 16 and 17 October 2026 for the 15th ASPIRE Masterclass, bringing together experts and professionals to explore the complexities and challenges of Recurrent Implantation Failure (RIF).

Every fertility clinic knows the patient. Several transfers in, sometimes with euploid embryos, and still no pregnancy and no clear explanation. Recurrent implantation failure sits in that uncomfortable space where the tests come back normal and the answers run out.

Hosted by the SIG on Endometrium and Implantation and chaired by Dr Hong-Yuan Huang, with a Local Organising Committee led by Dr Somjate Manipalviratn, the programme drew faculty from Taiwan, Japan, Singapore, Australia and Thailand.

Day one began by exploring the definition of recurrent implantation failure (RIF) and approaches to identifying its underlying causes. Discussions covered embryo selection, including the role of AI and PGT-A, as well as sperm DNA fragmentation. Attention then turned to the endometrium, with sessions examining imaging, hysteroscopy, receptivity testing and the microbiome.

The controversies panel sparked engaging discussions on challenging clinical questions, including the next steps following a failed euploid embryo transfer and the role of surrogacy. The day also featured a critical review of treatment add-ons, such as PRP and G-CSF, highlighting the importance of evidence-based approaches in clinical practice.

Day two shifted the focus from understanding the causes of RIF to making informed clinical decisions. From immune factors and thrombophilia to metabolic health, endometriosis and adenomyosis, sessions explored the different factors that may influence implantation outcomes. An interactive case discussion brought these perspectives together, highlighting the importance of personalised care.

The Masterclass wrapped up with hands-on embryo transfer simulation and 3D ultrasound workshops, supported by CooperSurgical and GE HealthCare, giving participants the opportunity to put knowledge into practice.

The key takeaway? There is no one-size-fits-all solution to RIF. Instead, the Masterclass reinforced the value of looking beyond individual factors, considering the patient as a whole and making clinical decisions guided by evidence.

The highly successful MSART 2026 conference at the Shangri-La Kuala Lumpur in October was supported by ASPIRE and featured a prestigious line-up of speakers to share ground-breaking insights.

The premier event attracted regional and international fertility specialists, embryologists and reproductive health care leaders for workshops, scientific sessions and industry exhibitions.

Among the informative ASPIRE session presenters were Professor Eileen Manalo from the Philippines who addressed the topic Managing Fertility in the Late Reproductive Years and Dr Vu Na Ho from Vietnam whose spoke on Beyond the Rotterdam Criteria: Endocrine-Metabolic Heterogeneity and Personalised Reproductive Outcomes in Asian Women with PCOS.

The conference was another example of how the Malaysian Society for Assisted Reproductive Technology is making significant strides to advance reproductive medicine across the country and the wider region. 

As part of its continuous educational outreach, MSART has successfully conducted eight webinars engaging over 800 attendees across a diverse range of topics and clinical challenges. 

To streamline access to care, the society launched the MSART Fertility Map on its website creating a comprehensive list of all registered fertility centres nationwide on one interactive map. 

Moving forward, MSART remains steadfast in its mission to elevate clinical standards, foster regional collaboration, and solidify Malaysia’s leadership in reproductive health care.

Dr Pravin Pereba 
Malaysia Country Representative 

The ASPIRE 4th Regional Meeting, in collaboration with The Chinese University of Hong Kong, with the theme "Asia Pacific Congress on Fertility Preservation (APCFP) 2026" held in September attracted 300 delegates across a wide range of medical and scientific disciplines to exchange valuable knowledge and learn about cutting edge developments in the field.

It featured a comprehensive and compelling program with expert speakers addressing tropics that resonated with professionals working in reproductive medicine, haematology and oncology along with researchers, fertility nurses and counsellors.

Professor Kate Stern, Chairperson of the ASPIRE Fertility Preservation Special Interest Group, said the meeting was a showcase of clinical and scientific advancement in the field throughout the Asia Pacific region.

“It spectacularly raised awareness of fertility preservation and the fact that many of us care for young people affected by cancers and other serious diseases that may impact on their fertility and future opportunities to have a family,” she said.

“The scientific and clinical breakthroughs emerging in oncofertility have far reaching implications not only in terms of preserving the fertility of young cancer patients, but also for advancing all aspects of reproductive care.

“The field is advancing in leaps and bounds through ASPIRE’s strong collaboration and connections that were highlighted at the Congress by President, Dr Haroon Latif, as a key element of the Society’s growing stature on the world stage.

“The Congress further demonstrated that ASPIRE is shaping up to be a force to be reckoned with in our field.”

Professor Stern highlighted the outstanding contribution of Associate Professor Jacqueline Chung, Co-Chairperson of the ASPIRE Fertility Preservation SIG, for her organisational expertise and commitment to the success of the Congress.  

Associate Professor Chung said the program covered a wide range of topics including fertility preservation, embryology laboratory, clinical psychology, paediatric and adolescent gynaecology, oncology, male infertility and endoscopy. 

“This holistic approach enabled attendees to engage with leading experts, exchange knowledge and learn with the chance to network with like-minded professionals from across the Asia Pacific region. “It was immensely rewarding to come together to shape the future of fertility preservation and make a positive difference in the lives of countless individuals.”