Consultant Obstetrician & Gynaecologist,
Fertility Specialist
Embryolab Clinical & Scientific Director
hisbio
Dr Nicholas K
Christoforidis
MD, MSc, FRCOG
Dr N K Christoforidis MD, FRCOG, MSc, is a Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist with a special interest in Infertility and Assisted Reproductive Technologies.
He is the Clinical and Scientific Director of Embryolab Fertility Clinic and its co-founder since 2004.
He is a medical graduate from the Medical School of Aristotelian University of Thessaloniki, Greece with a specialist training in Obstetrics and Gynaecology in the United Kingdom. He followed the National Rotational Scheme in the Northeast of England and became a member, initially, of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists in 2001 and, recently, was appointed as a Fellow of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, in 2018. In 2020 he attained a master’s degree (Master of Science) in Biotechnology of Human Assisted Reproduction and Embryology, from the University of Valencia, Spain. He is a doctoral candidate in the National and Kapodistrian University researching on the role of vitamin D in IVF treatment outcomes.
In 2011, he co-founded Embryolab Academy, a non-profit organization focused on education, training and research in assisted reproduction. Embryolab Academy promotes close collaboration between embryologists, andrologists, fertility specialists, scientists and human geneticists to improve quality, safety and accuracy in assisted reproduction techniques and reproductive medicine. Since the foundation of Embryolab Academy Dr Christoforidis participated in various workshops and academic events organized by Embryolab Academy, highly relevant to daily clinical practice of IVF units, from embryotransfer protocols, quality and safety aspects in key performance indexes, to clinical aspects or pre-implantation genetic testing.
Dr Christoforidis has published in peer review medical journals on various assisted reproduction related topics and participated as an invited speaker in numerous academic events and congresses, with presentations on a variety of current topics, such as the role of endometrial microbiome, the role of hysteroscopy in the investigation and treatment of infertility. More recently he participated in the eLearning program of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens on assisted reproductive technology, co-ordinated by Professor H Siristatidis.
Over the last three years Dr Christoforidis has actively participated in the “WAVES” research project, a multi-center research initiative co-ordinated by the Eindhoven University of Technology and the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology in Catharina Hospital in Eindhoven. The research project, under the supervision of Professor Benedict Schoot, aims to study the impact of uterine contractility in reproductive outcomes, using a quantitative two-dimensional transvaginal ultrasound speckle tracking method.
Dr N Christoforidis is a member of the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology and a member of the American Society of Reproductive Medicine.
Publications – Congresses
- Publications and articles in journals
- Presentations of papers at conferences
- Invited Speaker
- Teaching Experiences
Mary Karagianni, Maria Ioanna Papadopoulou, Chara Oraiopoulou, Nikolaos Christoforidis, Achilleas Papatheodorou, Alexia Chatziparasidou. Embryos from vitrified vs. fresh oocytes in an oocyte donation program: a comparative morphokinetic analysis S Sci. 2024 May;5(2):174-181. doi:10.1016/j.xfss.2024.03.002
Connie O Rees, Sophie Thomas, Anna de Boer, Yizhou Huang, Brunella Zizolfi, Virginia Foreste, Attilio di Spiezio di Sardo, Nikos Christoforidis, Hubertus A A M van Vliet, Massimo Mischi, Benedictus C Schoot. Quantitative ultrasound measurement of uterine contractility in adenomyotic vs. normal uteri: a multicenter prospective study. Fertil Steril. 2024 May;121(5):864-872. doi: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2024.01.009.
Chatziparasidou A, Christoforidis N, Samolada G, Nijs M. Sperm aneuploidy in infertile male patients: a systematic review of the literature. Andrologia. 2015 Oct;47(8):847-60.
Markantoni M, Sarafidou T, Kyrgiafini MA, Chatziparasidou A, Christoforidis N, Dafopoulos K, Mamuris Z. Replicating a GWAS: two novel candidate markers for oligospermia in Greek population. Mol Biol Rep. 2021 May;48(5):4967-4972.
Oraiopoulou C, Vorniotaki A, Taki E, Papatheodorou A, Christoforidis N, Chatziparasidou A. The impact of fresh and frozen testicular tissue quality on embryological and clinical outcomes. Andrologia. 2021 Jun;53(5):e14040.
Markantoni M, Sarafidou T, Chatziparasidou A, Christoforidis N, Mamuris Z. Male infertility and the impact of lifestyle in the Greek population: A case- control study. Health Sci Rep. 2022 Jun 15;5(4):e675.
Di Guardo F, Blockeel C, De Vos M, Palumbo M, Christoforidis N, Tournaye H, Drakopoulos P. Poor ovarian response and the possible role of natural and modified natural cycles. Ther Adv Reprod Health. 2022 Jan 14;16:263
Siristatidis C, Arkoulis T, Christoforidis N, Salamalekis G, Koutlaki N, Karageorgiou V, Profer D, Vlahos N, Galazios G. Investigating the impact of different strategies for endometrial preparation in frozen cycles considering normal responders undergoing IVF/ICSI cycles: a multicenter retrospective cohort study. Syst Biol Reprod Med. 2021 Jun;67(3):201-208.
Kyrgiafini MA, Markantoni M, Sarafidou T, Chatziparasidou A, Christoforidis N, Mamuris Z. Genome-wide association study identifies candidate markers related to lincRNAs associated with male infertility in the Greek population. J Assist Reprod Genet. 2020 Nov;37(11):2869-2881.
Chatziparasidou A, Nijs M, Moisidou M, Chara O, Ioakeimidou C, Pappas C, Christoforidis N. Accumulation of oocytes and/or embryos by vitrification: a new strategy for managing poor responder patients undergoing pre implantation diagnosis. F1000Res. 2013 Nov 12;2:240.
Kyrgiafini MA, Giannoulis T, Chatziparasidou A, Christoforidis N, Mamuris Z. Whole-Genome Profile of Greek Patients with Teratozοοspermia: Identification of Candidate Variants and Genes. Genes (Basel). 2022 Sep 8;13(9):1606.
Siristatidis C, Dafopoulos K, Salamalekis G, Galazios G, Christoforidis N, Moustakarias T, Koutlaki N, Bouschanetzis C, Loutradis D, Drakakis P. Administration of low-molecular-weight heparin in patients with two or more unsuccessful IVF/ICSI cycles: a multicenter cohort study. Gynecol Endocrinol. 2018 Sep;34(9):747-751
Siristatidis C, Rigos I, Pergialiotis V, Karageorgiou V, Christoforidis N, Daskalakis G, Bettocchi S, Makrigiannakis A. Endometrial injury for patients with endometriosis and polycystic ovary syndrome undergoing medically assisted reproduction: current data and a protocol. Horm Mol Biol Clin Investig. 2018 Aug 25;35(1)
Siristatidis C, Dafopoulos K, Christoforidis N, Anifandis G, Pergialiotis V, Papantoniou N. Corifollitropin alfa compared with follitropin beta in GnRH- antagonist ovarian stimulation protocols in an unselected population undergoing IVF/ICSI. Gynecol Endocrinol. 2017 Dec;33(12):968-971.
Rice S, Christoforidis N, Gadd C, Nikolaou D, Seyani L, Donaldson A, Margara R, Hardy K, Franks S. Impaired insulin-dependent glucose metabolism in granulosa-lutein cells from anovulatory women with polycystic ovaries. Hum Reprod. 2005 Feb;20(2):373-81.
Christoforidis N, Gouk E, Roberts M. Cardiotocography in umbilical cord entanglement. J Obstet Gynaecol. 1998 Nov;18(6):590-1.
Rees CO, de Boer A, Huang Y, Wessels B, Blank C, Kuijsters N, Huppelschoten A, Zizolfi B, Foreste V, Di Spiezio Sardo A, Christoforidis N, van Vliet H, Mischi M, Schoot BC. Uter-ine contractile activity in healthy women throughout the menstrual cycle measured using a novel quantitative two-dimensional transvaginal ultrasound speckle tracking method. Re-prod Biomed Online 2023 Jan;46(1):115-122.
Christoforidis N, Dawlatly B, Gouk E, Murray B. Massive secondary postpartum haemorrhage three weeks after caesarean section. J Obstet Gynaecol. 1999 Mar;19(2):197-8. doi: 10.1080/01443619965615. PMID: 15512271
Kyrgiafini MA, Giannoulis T, Chatziparasidou A, Christoforidis N, Mamuris Z.. Unveiling the Genetic Complexity of Teratozoospermia: Integrated Genomic Analysis Reveals Novel Insights into lncRNAs’ Role in Male Infertility. J Mol Sci 2023 Oct 9;24(19):15002.doi: 10.3390/ijms241915002.
Grigoriadis G, Roman H, Kalaitzopoulos DR, Christoforidis N, Pados G, Daniilidis A. Di-agnosis of Endometriosis by Transvaginal Ultrasound: An Online Survey of Gynecologists Practising in Greece. Cureus. 2023 Apr 21;15(4):e37950.
Kyrgiafini MA, Sarafidou T, Giannoulis T, Chatziparasidou A, Christoforidis N, Mamuris Z. Gene-by-Sex Interactions: Genome-Wide Association Study Reveals Five SNPs Associated with Obesity and Overweight in a Male Population. Genes (Basel). 2023 Mar 26;14(4):799.
Fragoulakis V, Mantis A, Christoforidis N, Dovas D, Deftereos S, Lainas T, Mantoudis E, Paraschos T, Sakellariou D, Makrakis E. Curr Med Res Opin. 2022 Dec;38(12):2227-2235. Follitropin Alpha for assisted reproduction: an analysis based on a non-interventional study in Greece
Christoforidis N. “Vitamin D deficiency in oocyte donors and ICSI treatment outcome in oocyte donor recipients”. 8th IVIRMA Congress, April 2019, Palma, Spain. Poster Presenta-tion.
Christoforidis N. “Individualisation in Practice: The evidence for follitropin delta”. Hot top-ics in Reproductive Medicine. Scientific Society of Research in Human Reproduction. No-vember 2017, Heraklion, Greece.
Christoforidis N. “Biomarkers in the ART. Can they make the difference?” International Meeting of the Mediterranean Society for Reproductive Medicine (MSRM), September, 2015, Heraklion, Greece.
Chatziparasidou A., Oraiopoulou C., Moisidou M., Ioakeimidou C., Pappas C. Nijs M., Chris-toforidis N. (2014). “Study of morphokinetic parameters in embryos originating from ejac-ulated or testicular spermatozoa”. Poster presented in: 10th Biennal Alpha Meeting. Antal-ya, Turkey.
Chatziparasidou A., Oraiopoulou C., Moisidou M., Ioakeimidou C., Pappas C. Nijs M., Chris-toforidis N. (2014). “Study of morphokinetic parameters in embryos produced from fresh or frozen testicular spermatozoa”. Poster presented in: 10th Biennal Alpha Meeting. Antal-ya, Turkey.
Christoforidis N., Ioakimidou C., Pappas C., Moisidou M., Chatziparasidou A. (2013). “Ef-fectiveness of vitrification in women undergoing elective freezing of oocytes and/or em-bryos when embryo transfer conditions are suboptimal”. Poster presented in ESHRE An-nual meeting. London, UK.
Chatziparasidou A., Moisidou M. , Oraiopoulou C., Ioakeimidou C., Pappas C., Nijs M., Christoforidis N. (2013). “Successful Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis Program For Poor Responder Patients After Consecutive Ovarian Stimulation Cycles With Cumulative Oocyte Or Embryo Vitrification”. Poster presented in: 12th International Conference on PGD. In-stabul, Turkey.
Chatziparasidou A., Moisidou M. , Oraiopoulou C. , Ioakeimidou C., Pappas C., Nijs M., Christoforidis N. (2013). “Successful preimplantation genetic diagnosis program in poor responder patients after consecutive ovarian stimulation cycles and embryo vitrifica-tion”. Poster presented in: 5th International IVI Congress. Sevilla, Spain.
Christoforidis N., Ioakimidou C., Pappas C., Chatziparasidou A. (2013). “The use of low-dose B-HCG in late follicular phase in controlled ovarian hyperstimulation in oocyte do-nors”. Conference: COGI Vienna, Austria 24-27/10 2013
Christoforidis N., Ioakimidou C., Pappas C., Chatziparasidou A. (2013). “P-083 Effective-ness of vitrification in women undergoing elective freezing of oocytes and/or embryos when embryo transfer conditions are suboptimal”. ESHRE, Hum. Reprod. 28 (suppl 1):i152
Chatziparasidou A., Christoforidis N., Tsakos E., Naitenski R. (2007). “Triplonuclear embry-os in ICSI cycles”. Poster presented in:19th World Congress on Fertility and Sterility IFFS. Durban, South Africa.
Chatziparasidou A., Elder K., Christoforidis N., Tsakos E., Nainteski R. (2007). “Seminal Plasma infections”. Poster presented in: 23rd Annual Meeting, ESHRE. Lyon, France.
“Before, during and after: optimizing, standardizing and monitoring embryo transfer: the clinician’s perspective” 4th Internationanl EFRE Conference, 30 May 2024, Cairo, Egypt.
“The role of hysteroscopy in diagnosis and management of the infertile woman”, 11 October 2023, Thessaloniki, Greece.
Obstetric and Gynaecological Society of Thessalo-niki.
“Endometrial Microbiota and Female Infertility: the Impact of Dysbiosis on Endometrial Receptivity”. 3rd International EFRE Conference, 2 June 2023, Cairo, Egypt.
“Progesterone primed ovarian stimulation: a debate”. 3rd International EFRE Confer-ence, 2 June 2023, Cairo, Egypt.
“Update on endometriosis and infertility” 2nd Infertility Society Conference, Libya.
“Time to transfer: a practical workshop on how to optimize and master the embry-otransfer technique”, Embryolab Academy, 9-10 December 2022, Thessaloniki, Greece.“The role of uterine contractility in embryo implantation” 2nd International EFRE Con-ference, 2 June 2022, Cairo, Egypt.
“How to prepare a FET cycle” 2 June 2022, 2nd International EFRE Conference, Cairo, Egypt.
“The role of hysteroscopy in the investigation and treatment of infertile women”. Module presented in Master of Science
“Application of Endoscopic Techniques in Gy-naecology” 25 February 2022, Thessaloniki, Greece
“Chronic endometritis association with recurrent miscarriage and recurrent implanta-tion failure” 14 September 2018, Ioannina, Greece. Current Opinion in Assisted Repro-ductive Technologies Treatments. Hellenic Society of Fertility and Sterility.
“Health of Offspring After Frozen or Fresh Embryos”, August 2018. Second Congress of the Obstetric and Gynaecological Society of Thessaloniki, Bonding Embryologists to Fertility Specialists; to Assist Nature in Overcoming Infertility.
Overseas egg donors. Who are they and how are they chosen? Fertility Show, Novem-ber 2015, London, UK.
“Cryopreservation-of-all strategies for oocytes and/or embryos: are cycle segmenta-tion approaches feasible?” Workshop on Cryopreservation of gametes, embryos, blas-tocysts and reproductive tissues: daily practice in your lab and clinic Embryolab Acad-emy, September, 2015, Thessaloniki, Greece.
“The continuous dialogue between patient, clinic and laboratory for replacement of cryopreserved gametes/embryos: a practical approach”. Workshop on Cryopreserva-tion of gametes, embryos, blastocysts and reproductive tissues: daily practice in your lab and clinic Embryolab Academy, September, 2015, Thessaloniki, Greece.
“Biomarkers in the ART. Can they make the difference?” International Meeting of the Mediterranean Society for Reproductive Medicine (MSRM), September, 2015, Hera-klion, Greece.
“The clinical challenge in a PGD-IVF Unit”. Invited talk in: International Workshop on “Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis 2013″, September, 2013, Embryolab Academy, Thessaloniki, Greece.
Embryolab Academy Workshops
Embryol Academy is a nonprofit organization aiming to advance ART practices, by guiding Fertility Specialists and IVF Units to grow in a systematic, effective and safe way, through continuous learning, training and development. Over the last 10 years I participated in var-ious workshops organized by Embryolab Academy presenting to trainees various topics highly relevant to daily clinical practice of IVF units, from embryotransfer protocols and techniques to frozen embryo transfer protocols, quality and safety aspects in key perfor-mance indexes, to clinical aspects of pre-implantation genetic testing.
National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (EKPA)
2024: Optional Compulsory Course “Reproductive Medicine – Assisted Reproductive Tech-nology”
• 10/4/2024: Basic principles of controlled ovarian stimulation
• 29/4/2024: Oocyte pick-up and complications
National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (EKPA)
2024: E-learning program: “Assisted Reproduction Techniques”
This programme aimed to satisfy the increasing needs of international academia to delve into the up-to-date data on assisted reproduction. The purpose of the programme was to educate the participants on the new data -principles and techniques- on assisted reproduction so that they can identify and suggest the appropriate treatment option depending on each couple’s type of infertility.
• 23/3/2024 Presentation: “Controlled Ovarian Stimulation”
• 18/5/2024 Presentation: “Implantation failure following IVF treatment”
