Reproductive biology is a branch of medical biology interested in the study and diagnosis of reproductive and reproductive pathologies., by analyzing seminal fluids. The discipline also strives to improve interventional techniques during medically assisted procreation (orassisted reproduction ; PMA).

Reproductive biology is for infertile couples wishing to have a child. Remember that a couple is considered to be infertile if they have not been able to conceive a child after 12 to 24 months of attempts (3).

There are many causes of infertility. Some of the recognized risk factors include:

• the age of the women;
• theendometriosis ;
• environmental exposure, and in particular to certain pesticides or heavy metals (4);
• le overweight ;
• or even smoking.

Within teams specializing in reproductive biology, the necessary procedures are carried out for the preparation and bringing together of the reproductive cells of pairs of patients.

These are diagnostic activities:

• spermogramme ;
• spermocytogramme;
• migration test;
• sperm biochemistry.

But also therapeutic activities:

• artificial insemination (this involves collecting and preparing the partner’s sperm to inject it directly into the woman’s uterus, at the time of ovulation);
• in vitro fertilization (this involves causing an egg and a sperm to meet in the laboratory);
• intracytoplasmic injection of sperm;
• frozen embryo transfer.

The major risk when using assisted reproduction techniques is that they do not work. The medical team will take care to clearly explain the modalities, difficulties and risks of the procedures, examinations or interventions to be performed.

Reproductive biology is a discipline bringing together several specialists, such as doctors (specialized in medical biology, reproductive medicine, gynecology, andrology, endocrinologist, etc.), biologist pharmacists, nurses, psychologists, etc. etc. So much so that the paths to follow to practice in this area are varied.

To find a medically assisted reproduction center:

• in Quebec, you can consult the website of the association of infertile couples of Quebec (5), which offers a directory of services;
• in France, via the website “Fivfrance.com” (6).

In France, the Health Insurance covers 6 attempts at artificial insemination, 4 attempts at in vitro fertilization (7). Note that women must not exceed an age limit to benefit from these assisted reproduction attempts.

In Quebec, some assisted procreation services are no longer covered by the Régie de l’assurance maladie du Québec (RAMQ), since November 2015 (8). It is therefore important to check with the RMAQ before starting any process.