Narture 2026, "The Sound of Science": The Fifth Edition of the IBSA Congress on Reproductive Medicine in Rome

From 18 to 20 September 2026, IBSA organised the fifth edition of the Narture International Summit on Reproductive Medicine. Dedicated to the theme "The Sound of Science", the congress was held at the Auditorium Parco della Musica Ennio Morricone in Rome, establishing itself as a major international scientific event that brought together around 250 leading experts in the field of fertility.

The term Narture is the fusion of human nature, Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART), and art, creating a continuous dialogue between science, physiology, and cultural expression. The congress – entirely conceived and organised by IBSA – brought together authoritative voices in research, placing the individual and scientific innovation at the centre.

Guiding the development of the programme was the Scientific Board, composed of seven international experts in reproductive medicine who contributed to defining the content and main themes, fostering a multidisciplinary exchange between research, clinical practice, and innovation:

• Peter Humaidan, Denmark
• Richard Anderson, United Kingdom
• Laura Rienzi, Italy
• Catherine Racowsky, France
• Anis Feki, Switzerland
• Baris Ata, Turkey
• Valerie Baker, United States

Spanning three days, the congress engaged participants in a journey structured around the four core concepts of the event.

From the Inspiration session, opened by Prof. Mats Brännström’s plenary lecture on uterus transplantation, the programme moved to the Innovation session, dedicated to embryogenesis, genetics, and new perspectives for future generations, including a debate on the role of PGT, a procedure that allows for the identification of genetic or chromosomal abnormalities in embryos obtained through in vitro fertilisation techniques.

The in-depth exploration of the congress's clinical dimension then developed in the Interaction session, through interactive discussions on predictive models, frozen embryo transfer (FET) protocols, and in vitro fertilisation laboratory development. Finally, the Impulse session projected the debate towards the future of automation, robotic surgery, and medical ethics.

“Ten years since its inception, Narture has now become an international scientific summit with a distinctive identity, remaining true to the principles upon which it was founded,” explains Paola Fasola, Sr Medical Affairs Manager at IBSA. “Created by IBSA in 2016 as an independent scientific event, its objective has always been to offer a high-quality educational setting where scientific knowledge, innovation, and dialogue can contribute to the advancement of reproductive medicine.”

The redefinition of PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome) to PMOS (polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome), made official in May 2026, was among the topics of greatest scientific interest to emerge at Narture 2026. In her presentation ("Do we now understand PMOS?"), Prof. Elisabet Stener-Victorin demonstrated how this shift marks a true paradigm change for a condition that affects one in eight women worldwide¹, and which for too long has been considered a mere gynaecological disorder and treated by addressing only the symptoms.

Recognising PMOS as a systemic-metabolic condition with significant long-term health implications now allows for a move beyond generic symptom management. Preventive metabolic optimisation represents an important element in the management of PMOS, within the context of an increasingly personalised approach to patient care and the prevention of potential complications.

While endometriosis has garnered significant media attention in recent years, adenomyosis has long remained in the shadows. Indeed, its diagnosis and management often remain heterogeneous, and the pathology requires a more personalised approach.

Historically associated with multiparous women, high-resolution diagnostic imaging has recently revealed a high prevalence even among infertile patients undergoing assisted reproductive technology (ART) treatments.

In Prof. Mauro Cozzolino’s presentation ("Adenomyosis and ART") it was emphasised that adenomyosis should no longer be considered a binary diagnosis ("present / absent"), but rather a spectrum of conditions characterised by different phenotypes. These are potentially associated with distinct effects on endometrial receptivity and uterine contractility, which therefore require personalised management. In light of the emerging role of hyperestrogenism and progesterone resistance, the congress confirmed the importance of moving beyond the traditional "one-size-fits-all" approach in favour of tailored embryonic preparation strategies.

With the fifth edition of Narture in Rome, IBSA has reaffirmed its mission in the dissemination of scientific knowledge. Creating opportunities for high-level dialogue is not merely a way to advance research but translates into a concrete promise to people and healthcare professionals: to transform excellent science into increasingly humane, effective, and personalised care pathways, capable of improving the quality of life and guiding people towards the future of parenthood.

¹ Teede HJ, Khomami MB, Morman R, Laven JSE, Joham AE, Costello MF, Patil M, Rees DA, Berry L, Cree MG, Zhao H, Norman RJ, Dokras A, Piltonen T; Global Name Change Consortium. Polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome, the new name for polycystic ovary syndrome: a multistep global consensus process. Lancet. 2026 Jun 6;407(10545):2329-2339. doi: 10.1016/S0140-6736(26)00717-8. Epub 2026 May 12. PMID: 42119588. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42119588/