The numbers tell a story we need to change 📊⚡
Women are ~50% of the world, yet <30% of researchers.
Closing the gap means better science:
→More diverse ideas
→More inclusive research
→Solutions for all
At #ESHRE, we believe gender equity in #STEM drives progress. Who inspires you in science?
✨ Big news! ✨
We received 2,750 abstract submissions this year — beyond expectations once again. 👏
Huge thanks to our amazing community! #ESHRE2026 is set to be unforgettable.
#London #ReproductiveMedicine #Abstracts
Human Reproduction turns 40! 🎉
We’re celebrating by revisiting landmark papers with commentaries from original authors. First up: Leese & Gardner revisit their 1989 study (Hardy et al., 1989 – doi.org/10.1093/humr...) with a new commentary (Leese & Gardner, 2026 – doi.org/10.1093/humr...).
🔥 Thank you everyone for attending the #ESHREjc and the first one hosted on Bluesky
Many thanks to our experts for the insightful discussion on the multifaceted role of the oocyte cortex @rvassena.bsky.social @paolavigano.bsky.social
And the # ESHREjc team 💫
Until next time! 👋🏻
Many thanks to all participants, experts, authors and to @gliperis.bsky.social and his team for leading this great first Bluesky edition of the #ESHREjc 🦋
See you next time! 🙌
Here the summary of our discussion for Q3 on biomechanic parameters of oocyte developmental competence #ESHREjc
@eshre.bsky.social
Almost over for this session of the #ESHREjc ⏰
Summary for #Q2 👇🏼
@eshre.bsky.social
Here’s the summary for Q1 on structural components of the oocyte cortex and GV to MII remodeling #ESHREJC @eshre.bsky.social
Maybe we could see how different stimulation protocols, mechanical pressures during oocyte collection, length of hyaluronidase exposure etc affect cortical tension? So we can optimise our protocols further? But I’m sure patient-specific factors (genetics, age) will have more influence #ESHREjc
Also technically challenging to keep follicular fluid + cumulus completely separate for each oocyte and send them in for hopefully clinically useful info, for something that we can test with simpler methods (test cortical tension for each oocyte using pipettes) #ESHREjc
Exactly, we get rid of cumulus cells to either do ICSI or freeze the oocytes. With ICSI we notice if the cortical tension is off. For freezing we don’t - maybe this could tell us more about oocyte potential if we tested it before freezing? But vitrification probs changes cortex too… #ESHREjc
And actually, I wonder, we know that GV is eccentrically positioned in the oocyte. Do we know whether its position relative to the follicular wall is conserved? #ESHREjc
In other words: stiffer ovaries > more pressure on the follicle > more pressure on the oocyte > molecular response at the oocyte cortex level? #ESHREjc
This is an excellent point. We now know that ovarian stiffness (in mice) is correlated with follicular biology (see works by @farnersamargant.bsky.social lab, for instance), I wonder whether the follicular environment effect on oocyte also includes the pressure of its fluid. #ESHREjc
At the moment, data available finds a difference in biomechanical parameters that can lead to embryo viability and live birth. But the cause of this abnormal parameters will be difficult to adress #ESHREjc
Q4:Given that the cortex is a part of the interface between the oocyte and cumulus cells, how might abnormalities in the follicular environment alter cortical signaling or architecture, and how could these changes be detected through non-invasive follicular fluid or cumulus cell biomarkers?
#ESHREjc
Question 3 on clinical markers of cortical activity is now live. Join the #ESHREjc discussion 👇🏻
Q3. Coticchio et al suggest cortical properties (stiffness, viscoelasticity) could be biomarkers of oocyte developmental competence. Which technologies 🧫🔬🤖could realistically be applied in an IVF lab 👩🏻🔬 to measure cortex mechanics and what are the major barriers to clinical 🧑🏻⚕️ translation? #ESHREjc
Data from emerging optical microscopy approaches needed 📣 #ESHREjc
Q2 is now rolling! #ESHREjc
Q2: The paper proposed that cortical dysregulation can lead to blastomeri fragmentation and reduced blastocyst quality. What are the proposed mechanisms by which ectopic chromosomal signaling or cortical instability leads to abnormal cleavage patterns in early embryos? #ESHREjc
Appropriate stiffness due to acto-myosin network is crucial for splindle positioning and PB extrusion. #ESHREjc
Q1. How do the structural components of the oocyte cortex (e.g., actin, myosin-!, pERM, Arp2/3, Fyn kinases) dynamically remodel during the transitions from GV to MIl and how do these changes mechanistically support spindle positioning and polar body extrusion? #ESHREjc
Welcome on board to the first #ESHREjc of 2026! 👋
If you haven't read the paper, have a quick look in the bluetorial ➡️ bsky.app/profile/glip...
Joining us are experts:
@rvassena.bsky.social @paolavigano.bsky.social @enricabianchi.bsky.social
And authors:
@daniloembryologist.bsky.social
WELCOME everyone to the first #ESHREjc on Bluesky to talk all about the
Oocyte Cortex: Fertility’s Hidden Control Layer #ESHREjc
Paper ➡️ pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41206604/
@gliperis.bsky.social will be the lead moderator of this #ESHREjc – thank you George, the floor is yours 😊
Housekeeping essentials 👇
1. Use the hashtag #ESHREjc in all your posts
2. The #ESHREjc will take place over the weekend starting now until tomorrow 31 January 17.00 CET 🕔
3. Please always comment in the thread of the questions (they will be identified with Q1, Q2, …)
We’d also like to welcome our #ESHREjc experts
@paolavigano.bsky.social
@rvassena.bsky.social
@enricabianchi.bsky.social
AND authors Giovanni Coticchio and Danilo Cimadomo
For those who have not had the chance to read the paper our moderators have created a great Skytorial 👉 bsky.app/profile/glip...
#ESHREjc
