• Board Members, Advisory Committee, Lab Experts

Achilleas Papatheodorou

Senior Clinical Embryologist, ESHRE certified, Embryolab Lab Director

PhD, M.Med.Sc.

Dr. Achilleas Papatheodorou is a senior clinical embryologist with an experience of more than 20.000 cycles in assisted reproduction (ART), among which a great number of cases with severe male infertility and application of embryo biopsy for Preimplantation Genetic Testing.

His scientific interests focus mainly on the aspects of vitrification technique on human oocytes, embryos and the cryopreservation of human spermatozoa.
In 2004, Mr. Achilleas Papatheodorou graduated from school of Biology, in Aristotle’s University of Thessaloniki, Greece.
In 2005 he received his Master of Medical Sciences (M.Med.Sci.) degree in Assisted Reproduction Technology (University of Nottingham, UK).
In 2016 he was awarded with a PhD Degree from the Medical School of University of Ioannina. His PhD research project was the Clinical application of vitrification technique for cryopreserving human oocytes.
In 2017 he was certified by ESHRE as senior Clinical Embryologist.
Achilleas Papatheodorou has worked as a clinical embryologist in Thessaloniki, Athens, Albania and Italy. Additionally, he has worked as a scientific consultant of the IVF laboratory of San Carlo Hospital in Potenza, Italy. He has visited plenty of IVF clinics in Italy sharing his knowledge and technology with their embryology and andrology stuff.
Achilleas has done numerous oral presentations in conferences and hands on workshops and at he same time is involved in research projects and training for all the modern ART lab techniques and is the author of a number of scientific articles, posters and chapters.
He is a member of the European Society of Human Reproduction (ESHRE), the American Society of Reproductive Medicine (ASRM), and the Greek Association of Clinical Embryologists (PEKE) in which currently he serves as a vice-president.
From 2019 he is working in Embryolab, Fertility Clinic as Senior Clinical Embryologist.

Publications – Congresses

Publications and articles in journals

Papatheodorou, A., Vanderzwalmen, P., Panagiotidis, Y., Prapas, N., Zikopoulos, K., Georgiou, I., Prapas, Y. (2016). How does closed system vitrification of human oocytes affect the clinical outcome? A prospective, observational, cohort, non-inferiority trial in an oocyte donation program. Fertility Sterility.106, 1348-1355

Papatheodorou, A., Vanderzwalmen, P., Panagiotidis, Y., Prapas, N., Zikopoulos, K., Georgiou, I., and Prapas, Y. (2013). Open versus closed oocyte vitrification system: a prospective randomized sibling-oocyte study. Reprod. Biomed. Online 26, 595–602

Chatzimeletiou K, Vanderzwalmen P, Panagiotidis Y, Papatheodorou A, Karagiannidis A, Kolibianakis E, Grimbizis G, Prapas N, Prapas Y, Tarlatzis BC Spindle and chromosome configuration analysis of human biopsied versus non-biopsied embryos by confocal laser scanning microscopy following vitrification. Zygote. 2019 Jun;27(3):153-159

Antonouli S, Papatheodorou A, Panagiotidis Y, Petousis S, Prapas N, Nottola SA, Palmerini MG, Macchiarelli G, Prapas Y. The impact of sperm DNA fragmentation on ICSI outcome in cases of donated oocytes. Arch Gynecol Obstet. 2019 Jul;300(1):207-215

Ravanos K, Petousis S, Margioula-Siarkou C, Papatheodorou A, Panagiotidis Y, Prapas N, Prapas. Declining Sperm Counts… or Rather Not? A Mini Review. Y.Obstet Gynecol Surv. 2018 Oct;73(10):595-605

Petousis S, Prapas Y, Papatheodorou A, Margioula-Siarkou C, Papatzikas G, Panagiotidis Y, Karkanaki A, Ravanos K, Prapas N. Fluorescence in situ hybridisation sperm examination is significantly impaired in all categories of male infertility. Andrologia. 2018 Mar;50(2)

Prapas Y, Ravanos K, Petousis S, Panagiotidis Y, Papatheodorou A, MargioulaSiarkou C, Iuliano A, Gullo G, Prapas N. GnRH antagonist administered twice the day before hCG trigger combined with a step-down protocol may prevent OHSS in IVF/ICSI antagonist cycles at risk for OHSS without affecting the reproductive outcomes: a prospective randomized control trial.J Assist Reprod Genet. 2017 Nov;34(11):1537-1545

Pierre Vanderzwalmen, Nicolas Zech, Fabien Ectors, Yannis Panagiotidis, Achillae Papatheodorou, Prapas Yannis, and Barbara Wirleitner. (2016). Vitrification of Oocytes and Embryos: Finally, a Recognized Technique, But Still a Source of Concern and Debat inVitrification in Assisted Reproduction, Second Edition, Michael J Tucker, Juergen Liebermann. CRC Press. ISBN 9781482242577

Vanderzwalmen, P., Zech N. H., Nagy, Z.P., Stecher P., Papatheodorou A., Schuff M., Wirleitner, B. (2013). Cryopreservation of Human Unfertilized and Fertilized Oocytes. J Reproduktionsmed Endokrinol; 10: 45-54

Chatzimeletiou K, Morrison EE, Panagiotidis Y, Vanderzwalmen P, Prapas N, Papatheodorou A, Vanderzwalmen P, Panagiotidis Y, Prapas N, Zikopoulos K, Georgiou I, Prapas Y. Open versus closed oocyte vitrification system: a prospective randomized sibling-oocyte study. Reprod Biomed Online. 2013 Jun;26(6):595-602

Panagiotidis Y, Vanderzwalmen P, Prapas Y, Kasapi E, Goudakou M, Papatheodorou A, Passadaki T, Petousis S, Nikolettos N, Veletza S, Prapas N, Maroulis G. Open versus closed vitrification of blastocysts from an oocytedonation programme: a prospective randomized study. Reprod Biomed Online. 2013 May;26(5):470-6

Prapas Y, Petousis S, Dagklis T, Panagiotidis Y, Papatheodorou A, Assunta I, Prapas N. GnRH antagonist versus long GnRH agonist protocol in poor IVF responders: a randomized clinical trial. Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol. 2013 Jan;166(1):43-6

Prapas Y, Petousis S, Panagiotidis Y, Gullo G, Kasapi L, Papadeothodorou A, Prapas N. Injection of embryo culture supernatant to the endometrial cavity does not affect outcomes in IVF/ICSI or oocyte donation cycles: a randomized clinical trial. Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol. 2012 Jun;162(2):169-73

Prapas Y, Tarlatzis BC, Papatheodorou,A Handyside AH. Cytoskeletal analysis of human blastocysts by confocal laser scanning microscopy following vitrification. Hum Reprod. 2012 Jan;27(1):106-13

Vanderzwalmen, P., Zech, N., Prapas, Y., Panagiotidis, Y., Papatheodorou, A., Lejeune, B., Jareño, D., Vanderzwalmen, S., and Ectors, F. (2011). [Closed carrier device: a reality to vitrify oocytes and embryos in aseptic conditions]. Gynécologie Obstétrique Fertil. 38, 541–546

Prapas Y, Panagiotidis I, Kalogiannidis I, Gjata E, Papatheodorou A, Prapa S, Kasapi L, Goudakou M, Prapas N. Double GnRH-antagonist dose before HCG administration may prevent OHSS in oocyte-donor cycles: a pilot study. Reprod Biomed Online. 2010 Aug;21(2):159-65

Prapas N, Tavaniotou A, Panagiotidis Y, Prapa S, Kasapi E, Goudakou M, Papatheodorou A, Prapas Y. GnRH antagonists and endometrial receptivity in oocyte recipients: a prospective randomized trial. Reprod Biomed Online. 2009 Feb;18(2):276-81

Prapas N, Tavaniotou A, Panagiotidis Y, Prapa S, Kasapi E, Goudakou M, Papatheodorou A, Prapas Y. Low-dose human chorionic gonadotropin during Oral Presentations the proliferative phase may adversely affect endometrial receptivity in oocyte recipients. Gynecol Endocrinol. 2009 Jan;25(1):53-9

Conference Papers
International Conferences

Papatheodorou A., Panagiotidis Y., Vanderzwalmen P.,Petousis S., Goudakou M, Pavlidou T., GountisA., Ravanos K., Prapas N., Prapas Y. Laser assisted hatching before embryo transfer improves the clinical outcome in cases with vitrified oocytes from an egg donor cryobank: a control, randomized study. 32ndAnnual Meeting of the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology. 2-5 July 2017, Geneva Switzerland

Papatheodorou A., Vanderzwalmen P., Panagiotidis Y., Petousis S., Kasapi L., Goudakou M., Prapas N., Zikopoulos, K., Georgiou, I., Prapas Y. Fresh vs. aseptically vitrified sibling oocytes in an oocyte donation program. A prospective, observational, comparative study. 31stAnnual Meeting of the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology. 15-17 June2015 – Lisbon, Portugal

Papatheodorou A., Y Panagiotidis, Petousis ., L Kasapi, M Goudakou, T Pasadaki, N Prapas, K Zikopoulos, I Georgiou, Y Prapas. Fresh vs aseptic vitrified sibling embryo transfers in oocyte donation program. A prospective, observational, comparative study. 29thAnnual Meeting of the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology. 7-10 July 2013 – London, UK

Papatheodorou A., Vanderzwalmen P., Panagiotidis Y., Kasapi L., Goudakou M., Pasadaki T., Prapas N., Prapas Y. Open versus Closed oocyte vitrification system: a prospective randomized sibling-oocyte study. 28thAnnual Meeting of the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology. 1-4 July 2012 – Istanbul, Turkey

Papatheodorou A, P. Vanderzwalmen, Y. Panagiotidis, L. Kasapi, M. Goudakou, T. Papadaki, N. Prapas, Y. Prapas. Open versus closed oocyte vitrification system: a prospective randomized sibling-oocyte study. 5thWorld Congress on Mild Approaches In Assisted Reproduction. 4-6 May 2012 – Copenhagen, Denmark

Papatheodorou A. Cryopreservation of the female gamete: Safety & clinical results. 2nd Embryo Biopsy and Vitrification Workshop. 29 -30 March 2019., Thessaloniki, Greece

Papatheodorou A. Vitrification of ova and embryos & Assisted Hatching. Tips and tricks. 2nd Meeting in ART. Naval Hospital of Athens. 5-6 April 2019, Athens, Greece

National Conferences

Papatheodorou A. Artificial Intelligence in Assisted Reproduction Technology. 4th Panhellenic congress in Assisted Reproduction Technology. 20-22 February 2020, Athens, Greece

Papatheodorou A. Vitrification of embryos and ova. Tips & tricks and assisted hatching. Infertility and Assisted reproduction. Myths and reality. Meeting of IVF unit of Naval hospital of Athens. 5-6 April 2019, Athens, Greece

Papatheodorou A. Cryopreservation of the female gamete: Safety and clinical results. 2nd Hands on Workshop on PGD, Embryo biopsy & Vitrification. 29-30 March 2019. Papageorgiou General Hospital. Thessaloniki, Greece

Papatheodorou A. How can we improve the efficiency of cryopreservation programs in IVF? 2nd Meeting on Reproductive Medicine. 30 November – 2 December 2018, Larisa, Greece

Papatheodorou A. New data in oocyte cryopreservation. Greek Society of Fertility & Sterility. New data in Infertility and Assisted Reproduction. 14-16 September 2018, Ioannina, Greece

Papatheodorou A. Clinical outcome in oocyte donation cryocycles after assisted laser hatching. 3rd Panhellenic congress in Assisted Reproduction Technology. 22-24 February 2018, Athens, Greece

Papatheodorou A., Panagiotidis Y., Petousis S., Kasapi L., GkountakouM., Ravanos K., Prapas N., Georgiou I., Zikopoulos K., Prapas Y. Comparison of fresh vs aseptically vitrified donated oocytes. A prospective observational study on biological and clinical parameters. 2nd Panhellenic congress in Assisted Reproduction Technology. 21-23 November 2015, Athens, Greece

Papatheodorou A., Panagiotidis Y., Petousis S., Kasapi L., GkountakouM., Ravanos K., Prapas N., Georgiou I., Zikopoulos K., Prapas Y. Comparison of survival parameters and clinical outcome between fresh and vitrified oocyte donation cases. 13th Panhellenic Congress of Obstertrics and Gyneacology. 28- 31 May 2015, Volos, Greece

Papatheodorou A., Panagiotidis Y., Kasapi L., GkountakouM., Pasadaki T., Prapas N., Prapas Y. Vitrification of human donated oocytes. Direct comparison of open and closed system method. 1st Panhellenic congress in Assisted Reproduction Technology. 22-24 November 2013, Athens, Greece

Papatheodorou A., VanderzwalmenP., Panagiotidis Y., Kasapi L., GkountakouM., Pasadaki T., IoulianoA., Prapas N., Georgiou I., Zikopoulos K., Prapas Y. Comparison of the clinical efficiency of open and closed vitirfication system in human donated oocytes. 12th National Congress in Obstetrics and Gynecology. 117-20 May 2012, Thessaloniki, Greece

Invited Speaker

A. Papatheodorou, Y. Panagiotidis, P. Vanderzwalmen, L. Kasapi, M. Goudakou, T. Papadaki, N. Prapas, K. Zikopoulos, I. Georgiou, Y. Prapas. Open versus closed oocyte vitrification system in oocyte donation program: a prospective randomized sibling-oocyte study. The 3rd International Congress on Controversies in Cryopreservation of Reproductive cells, Tissue and Organs (CRYO). 21-23 March 2013 – Berlin, Germany.

Papatheodorou A., Vanderzwalmen P., Panagiotidis Y., Petousis S., Goudakou M., Gullo G., Prapas N., Zikopoulos, K., Georgiou, I., Prapas Y. The clinical impact of laser assisted hatching in embryos deriving from vitrified oocytes: a prospective, randomized, comparative study. 32ndAnnual meeting of the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology. 3-6 July 2016 – Helsinki, Finland.

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