Why continuous medical education is essential for better fertility care: insights from Cell Mate's hands-on male infertility workshop

Medicine never stops evolving — neither should doctors

Every year, new research, technologies, and treatment approaches reshape the way we diagnose and treat infertility. Keeping pace with these advances is essential — not only for fertility specialists but for every healthcare professional involved in reproductive medicine.

At Cell Mate, we believe that improving patient outcomes starts with improving medical education.

On the eve of Doctors' Day, our team had the privilege of conducting a hands-on workshop on male infertility at UCMS & GTB Hospital, Delhi, organised by the Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology under the aegis of the AOGD Infertility & Reproductive Endocrinology Subcommittee — bringing together gynecologists, postgraduate students, and future fertility specialists for a day dedicated to practical learning and scientific discussion.

The hands-on workshop at UCMS & GTB Hospital, Delhi — organised by the Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology under the aegis of the AOGD Infertility & Reproductive Endocrinology Subcommittee.

Why male infertility deserves greater attention

Infertility affects millions of couples worldwide, and male factors contribute to nearly half of all infertility cases. Yet discussions around fertility often focus predominantly on women.

Modern reproductive medicine requires equal attention to both partners. Accurate diagnosis of male infertility can significantly improve treatment planning, reduce unnecessary interventions, and improve pregnancy outcomes.

That begins with understanding advanced andrology — not simply performing a routine semen analysis.

Beyond a routine semen analysis

One of the key objectives of the workshop was helping participants understand why an advanced andrology laboratory differs significantly from a conventional pathology laboratory.

The hands-on training covered:

• WHO-standard semen analysis
• Sperm morphology assessment
• Sperm DNA fragmentation testing
• Advanced sperm function tests
• Quality control in an andrology laboratory
• Semen preparation techniques for IUI, IVF and ICSI
• Laboratory protocols that directly influence treatment outcomes

Rather than focusing only on reports, participants learned how laboratory decisions influence clinical decision-making and patient care.

Live demonstration: semen analysis under the microscope, projected in real time for participants.

Learning by doing: why hands-on training matters

Reading protocols in textbooks provides knowledge. Performing them under expert guidance builds confidence.

Throughout the workshop, doctors and postgraduate students actively participated in practical laboratory demonstrations, asked questions, discussed challenging cases, and observed best practices followed in modern fertility laboratories.

This interactive approach helps bridge the gap between theory and clinical practice — ultimately improving the quality of care delivered to patients.

Gynecologists and postgraduate students at the practical laboratory stations during the hands-on sessions.

Rajnish Sehgal: sharing knowledge beyond the laboratory

The workshop was led by Rajnish Sehgal, Co-Founder and Chief Technology Officer at Cell Mate, whose expertise spans embryology, andrology, fertility laboratory management, and reproductive sciences.

Over the years, Rajnish has trained gynecologists, embryologists, IVF professionals, laboratory scientists, postgraduate students, and aspiring fertility specialists across India. For him, teaching has always been as important as laboratory excellence.

His sessions focus not only on how laboratory procedures are performed, but why each protocol matters — helping healthcare professionals understand the science behind every decision.

Dr. Sakshi Sehgal: bringing the clinical perspective

Supporting the practical sessions was Dr. Sakshi Sehgal, Co-Founder and COO at Cell Mate, who guided doctors and postgraduate students through the hands-on laboratory exercises while connecting laboratory findings with real-world patient care.

She also highlighted an increasingly important topic in reproductive medicine — fertility preservation.

As more individuals choose to delay parenthood or undergo medical treatments such as chemotherapy that may affect fertility, awareness around egg freezing and sperm freezing has become more important than ever. Early counselling gives patients more reproductive choices in the future.

For healthcare professionals, understanding when to discuss fertility preservation can have a lasting impact on a patient's quality of life.

Why fertility preservation should be part of every medical conversation

Fertility preservation is no longer limited to oncology patients. Today, many individuals choose fertility preservation because of:

• Career planning
• Delayed parenthood
• Medical conditions affecting fertility
• Autoimmune disorders
• Endometriosis
• Cancer treatments
• Gender-affirming treatments
• Personal reproductive planning

Procedures such as egg freezing and sperm freezing provide an opportunity to preserve fertility before it naturally declines or before medical treatments impact reproductive health. Increasing awareness among doctors allows more patients to make informed decisions at the right time.

Cell Mate's commitment to fertility education in Delhi NCR

At Cell Mate, we believe our responsibility extends beyond providing fertility preservation services. Through our Knowledge Hub, educational workshops, hospital collaborations, and hands-on training programs, we aim to support doctors, embryologists, students, and healthcare professionals with evidence-based education.

Whether the topic is male infertility, female fertility, egg freezing, sperm freezing, fertility preservation, embryology, or laboratory sciences — our goal remains the same:

The full cohort of participating doctors and postgraduate students at UCMS & GTB Hospital.

Felicitation by the faculty of UCMS & GTB Hospital.

Looking ahead

Medicine advances because healthcare professionals continue asking questions, learning new techniques, and sharing knowledge.

The enthusiasm shown by the doctors and postgraduate students at UCMS & GTB Hospital was a reminder that the future of healthcare depends not only on innovation, but also on education.

At Cell Mate, we remain committed to supporting this journey — through meaningful workshops, evidence-based resources, and a growing community of healthcare professionals dedicated to improving reproductive care.

About Cell Mate

Cell Mate is India's first consumer-first fertility preservation brand, dedicated to empowering individuals with options for the future through egg freezing, sperm freezing, and fertility preservation. Alongside patient care, Cell Mate actively contributes to medical education through its Knowledge Hub, workshops, and collaborations with hospitals and healthcare institutions across Delhi NCR and India.