International High-level training course in MR.REP – Medical and bioethical issues in “Restorative Medicine for Male Reproductive Health” – III Edition

University of Padova A.Y. 2025-2026 | Director: Prof Alberto Ferlin | Vice-director: Dr Giuseppe Grande

The Department of Medicine of the University of Padova launches the 3^rd edition of the International High-level training course in Medical and bioethical issues in “Restorative Medicine for Male Reproductive Health” – MR.REP.

The Course is set up jointly with Fertílitas, Spain’s leading NaProTechnology clinic and the International Chair of Bioethics Jérôme Lejeune.

The Course is delivered entirely in English and is addressed to Medical Doctors (in particular to gynecologists, urologists, endocrinologists, andrologists) who wants to be trained in the diagnosis and treatment of male factor infertility, aimed at the restoration of natural fertility. This edition is also open to professionals from the fields of Biotechnology, Biology, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Nursing Sciences, Health Sciences. The course may also be attended by those from Humanities (including Philosophy, Bioethics, Psychology) and Social Sciences (Law), as well as by medical students in the final two years of their studies.

In-person and remote

4 months

University credits: 9 CFU

Classes start: March 17th, 2026

€ 1.022,50 (*Fertílitas offers up to 10 merit-based scholarships covering 50% of educational costs).

Description

The course offers training in the biological and medical fields both on laboratory and on instrumental diagnostics in reproductive andrology and on the treatment of the causes of male infertility, aimed at restoring reproductive health in the infertile patient. A special attention will be given also to restorative medicine for female reproductive health and urological surgery for male factor infertility.

The course also provides expertise in the prevention of reproductive tract diseases and sexually transmitted infections. The topics covered by the course will be addressed from a diagnostic, therapeutic and follow-up point of view.

The final aim of the course is the acquisition of autonomous management skills with specific skills dedicated to each professional figure: managing clinical aspects of all the topics covered and executing diagnostic tests in the andrological laboratory. A number of bioethics sessions will also be provided with the aim of equipping participants with the necessary tools to analyze and approach bioethical issues that may arise in the context of human reproduction and the treatment of infertility.

Partnership

This year’s edition of the Course is characterized by the partnership with:

Fertílitas

The main NaProTechnology clinic in Spain, where IVF is hyper extended. Established during the 50th anniversary of the Encyclical Humanae Vitae, it currently includes 11 NaProtechnology-trained surgical OBGyns as well as 14 Practitioners of the Creighton Model System for FertilityCare. So far, they have taken care of about 2,500 couples. Increasing attention to male factor issues is being offered in cooperation with Dr. Giuseppe Grande and the University of Padova. To know more: https://fertilitas.es/

International Chair of Bioethics Jérôme Lejeune

An international Bioethics Think Tank based in Spain, but active worldwide, which supports its activity on three mainlines of actions: training, research and publishing on Bioethics. The training offered by ICBJL aims at providing scientific, ethical and legal arguments to promote the respect for all human life. To know more: https://chairbioethicslejeune.org/

Program

SESSION 1 – March 17^th, online, 6-8pm

Opening lectures

The male factor in couple infertility: practical approach and general health – Prof. Alberto Ferlin, University of Padova, Italy
Foundations of bioethics and human reproduction – Prof. Elena Postigo Solana, International Chair of Bioethics Jérôme Lejeune, Spain

SESSION 2 – March 31^th, online, 6-8pm

Infertility: prevention campaigns and education in the young population – Dr. Giuseppe Grande, University of Padova, Italy
Environment, pollutants, and the sperm – Dr. Luca De Toni, University of Padova, Italy

SESSION 3 – April 16^th, online, 6-8pm

The diagnosis of female infertility factor: much more than AMH – Dr. Carolina Galocha, Fertílitas, Spain
Reparative surgery for female reproductive health: protocols and results – Dr. Jaime Siegrist, Fertílitas, Spain

SESSION 4 – April 28^th, online, 6-8pm

Semen analysis: the lab – Prof. Donatella Paoli, “La Sapienza” University, Italy
Semen analysis: clinical interpretation – Dr. Andrea Graziani, University of Padova, Italy

SESSION 5 – May 7^th, online, 6-8pm

Hormonal control of spermatogenesis and endocrine assessment of the infertile patient – Prof. Alberto Ferlin, University of Padova, Italy
Scrotal ultrasound in male factor infertility – Dr. Pierfrancesco Palego, University of Padova, Italy

SESSION 6 – May 19^th, online, 6-8pm

HPV infection and male infertility – Dr. Andrea Garolla, University of Padova, Italy
TRUS and accessory gland infection/inflammation – Dr. Pierfrancesco Palego, University of Padova, Italy

SESSION 7 – June 4^th, online, 6-8pm

Male tract infection/inflammation: clinical significance – Dr. Giuseppe Grande, University of Padova, Italy
Genetic evaluation in male infertility – Dr. Alberto Ferlin, University of Padova, Italy

IN-PRESENCE WEEK – PADOVA (ITALY) – June 15-20^th

SESSION 8 – June 15^th, In-presence, 4pm – 7pm

4pm Fine needle aspiration cytology of the testis: how to perform and clinical significance – Dr. Andrea Graziani, University of Padova, Italy
5pm Treatment of male factor infertility: aims and etiological vs empirical approach – Dr. Giuseppe Grande, University of Padova, Italy
6pm Hormonal treatment – Dr. Alberto Ferlin, University of Padova, Italy

SESSION 9 – June 16^th, In-presence, 9am – 1pm

9am Treatment of accessory gland infection/inflammation – Dr. Giuseppe Grande, University of Padova, Italy
10am Varicocele: to treat or not to treat? – Dr. Pierfrancesco Palego, University of Padova, Italy
11am Lifestyle and dietary supplements – Dr. Luca de Toni, University of Padova, Italy
12pm The relationship physician-patient: taking into account and respecting patients’ values – Dr. Sonsoles Alonso, Fertílitas, Spain

INTERNSHIP – June 16^th (afternoon), 17^th, 18^th, 19^th (morning)

Clinical training
Laboratory training
Insight into bioethical issues

SESSION 10 – June 19^th, In-presence, 2.30pm – 5.30pm

2.30pm Urological surgery for male factor infertility – Dr. Luis Lopez-Fando Lavalle, Fertílitas, Spain
3.30pm Clinical cases – Dr. Andrea Graziani, University of Padova, Italy
4.30pm Clinical cases: integration of the andrological evaluation into a multidisciplinary model to restore couple’s reproductive health – The role of the andrologist – Dr. Ignacio Sanchez-Mendez, Dr. Luis Lopez-Fando, Dr. Giuseppe Grande, Fertílitas, Spain

SESSION 11 – June 20^th, In-presence, 9am – 1.30pm

9am The long journey towards oocyte – sperm and its interactions from testis to oocyte – Dr. Luca De Toni, University of Padova, Italy
10am Psychological support at the infertile couple – Dr. Domenico Bellantoni, Pontifical Salesian University, Italy
11am Assisted reproductive techniques vs restoring natural procreation – medical aspects and open perspectives – Dr. Giuseppe Grande, University of Padova, Italy
12pm Closing lecture: Bioethical issues in infertility treatments – Prof. Elena Postigo Solana, International Chair of Bioethics Jérôme Lejeune, Spain
1pm FINAL EXAM

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International High-level training course in MR.REP – Medical and bioethical issues in “Restorative Medicine for Male Reproductive Health” – III Edition

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