Center for Reproductive Medicine
The predecessor of the center is a research lab for family control which was established in 1973 in West China University of Medical Sciences and focused on basic research on reproductive assistance and genetics. It established the reference range of sex hormones in menstrual cycle of health women. In 1988, gamete intrafallopian tube transfer techniques were successfully conducted in the lab.In 1989,it started the application of artificial insemination,sperm freezing, computer pulse therapy of hypothalamic amenorrhea.
In 1996,we started the research of In-vitro fertilization and embryo transfer (IVF-ET).In October of 1997,a pregnancy was established with our IVF-ET technique and two boys were born safely in July,1998,which was the first successful application of the technique in Sichuan Province.In 1999,a postmenopausal woman got pregnancy with donated egg and IVF techniques and gave birth to a baby in February, 2000, which was the first case of this kind in West China.In 2001,ICSI was introduced in clinical service.In Sichuan Province,we first introduced derivative techniques of assisted reproduction technology,such as blastocyst culture and transplantation,frozen and thawed embryo transplantation,epididymal/testicular sperm aspiration intracytoplasmic sperm injection,fetal reduction surgery.
In 2002, we introduced genetic diagnosis in embryo transfer, using FISH and PCR to select healthy embryo and prevent genetic diseases. In 2003, we began to use laser assisted hatching technique. Recently, we started research on in vitro maturation, egg freezing, ovarian tissue cryopreservation.
In 2004, we were officially named the Center of Reproductive Medicine, and in 2006 AID was qualified for clinical service.
Teaching
We provide courses for medical undergraduates and overseas students, and programs of national continuing education. Four candidates for master degree and eight for doctoral degree are now under training.
Clinical Work
In 2011, in the center, about 6000 patients received in vitro insemination, embryo transplantation, intracytoplasmic sperm injection, AIH, AID, pelvic cyst puncture interventional therapy, recurrent abortion lymphatic immune therapy; and about 50000 patients received sperm routine, infertility anti-body detection, ovulation monitoring.
Research
We conduct about twenty projects granted by the National Natural Science Foundation, National Key Projects, Doctoral Scientific Fund of the Ministry of Education, Department of Science and Technology of Sichuan Province, Department of Health of Sichuan Province.
Professor LI Shangwei’s research on development of estriol and pharmacokinetics of estriol in postmenopausal women for senile vaginitis treatment won the second provincial prize science and technology progress in 2003. Her another project, the basic and clinical research on in vitro insemination-embryo transplantation and related technology, was also rewarded the second provincial prize science and technology progress in 2008.
A device developed by Professor Li Shangwei and Dr. Wang Yan for acupuncture and tissue freezing was licensed by the state invention patent.
Last year, we published about 100 journal articles, including 13 on SCI journals, 23 on Medline.
Academic Exchanges
Every year we have about 20 faculty members attending domestic meetings and 10 participating international meetings.
In 2007, we held an symposium on Ovarian function protection and safety of assisted reproductive technology.
In 2010, we held an symposium on infertility and reproductive medicine for earthquake stricken areas.
Medical Education
Eight members of our team have obtained a doctoral degree, and eleven a master’s degree.
Every year, Prof. Li Shangwe give lectures for national continuing education programs.
Discussions on complicated cases are held regularly.
Professor LI Shangwei was honored the National Moral Model in 2011.