Gruppo Coccia

Prof. Coccia is an Associate Professor at the University of Florence and Director of the Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) Center at Careggi University Hospital. Her clinical and research activities focus on reproductive medicine, with particular emphasis on improving reproductive outcomes through innovative approaches, including the integration of advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence. She has participated in numerous national and international research projects and has authored several scientific publications in the field of human fertility. Since 2019, she has served as Coordinator of the Master's Degree Program in Reproductive Health Skills, Endoscopic Techniques, and Assisted Reproductive Technology at the University of Florence. She is also Chair of the Bachelor's Degree Program in Midwifery at the University of Florence. Since 2021, she has been a member of the Technical Committee for Research and Training in the Prevention and Treatment of Infertility.

• • 1984 Master Degree in Medical Science, score 110 cum laude/110 - University of Perugia
  • 1989 Residency Obstetrics and Gynecology, score 70 cum laude/70 – University of Florence
  • 1994 PhD Degree in Perinatology, University of Perugia

Awards:

2024 – Second place for the project "Prognostic Factors of Evolutive Embryo

Implantation - HIMEA (Hysteroscopic Immunohistochemical Microbiome Endometrial Analysis) study" (Ferrin4Art Contest)

2023 – "Masters of Medicine" Award by ASIAM

2016 - “I Primi d’Italia” Award (Medicine category)

PhD Program in Biomedical Sciences, Department of Biomedical, Experimental and Clinical Sciences

“Mario Serio”, University of Florence

• European Society for Human Reproduction and Embryology (ESHRE)
• Vice President SIFES from 2010 to 2017
• President CECOS from 2011 to 2015

Springer Nature

Frontiers in Reproductive Health Journal of Reproductive Biomedicine Healthcare

Iserani Asia (PhD student)

Oliva Irene (Research Fellow, Careggi University Hospital) Cianchi Ilaria (Biotechnologist, Careggi University Hospital) Gabbrielli Benedetta (Resident in Obstetrics and Gynecology) Fiorillo Claudia (Associate Professor)

Becatti Matteo (Associate Professor)

• Development and application of innovative endoscopic techniques for women of reproductive age with endometriosis.
• Medical, surgical, and assisted reproductive technology (ART) approaches for the management of endometriosis: longitudinal studies and long-term follow-up.
• Characterization and classification of the different phenotypes of endometriosis and investigation of the relationship between endometriosis and ovarian reserve.
• Evaluation of the impact of occupational and environmental exposures, including endocrine- disrupting chemicals, on endometriosis.

• Development and evaluation of ultrasound and other imaging techniques for the diagnosis and characterization of ovarian, tubal, and uterine disorders, including uterine fibroids and adenomyosis.

Reproductive Medicine

• Diagnostic and therapeutic management of recurrent pregnancy loss.
• ptimization of diagnostic and therapeutic pathways for:
  • infertile couples;
  • women with infertility-associated conditions, including endometriosis, anovulation, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), and diminished ovarian reserve.

Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART)

• Development and evaluation of innovative ART technologies, including gamete and embryo vitrification and assessment of different embryo culture media.
• Investigation of redox status in biological fluids from patients undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF) through the evaluation of a novel biomarker, the Fertility Redox Score.
• Diagnostic and therapeutic reproductive management of patients with transmissible infectious diseases (HIV, HBV, and HCV).
• Assessment of semen quality and fertilization outcomes in couples with a spinal cord-injured male partner.
• Identification and validation of novel non-invasive biomarkers of oocyte and embryo quality and embryo implantation potential in ART cycles.
• Evaluation of embryo morphokinetic parameters using time-lapse imaging technology.

• Development and evaluation of innovative fertility preservation strategies, including:
  • oocyte vitrification;
  • ovarian tissue cryopreservation.
• Biobanking of reproductive tissues:
  • cryopreservation and biobanking of gametes, embryos, and gonadal tissue.

• Human papillomavirus (HPV) detection and characterization in seminal fluid.
• Vaginal microbiota and its role in reproductive health and fertility.

Reproductive Medicine, Assisted Reproductive Technologies (ART), Artificial Intelligence, Fertility Preservation, Microbiota, Embryology

Current/recent sources of funding

Research projects in the field of assisted reproductive technologies (ART), with particular focus on:

• Studies on oocyte cryopreservation and fertility preservation
• Analysis of vaginal, seminal, and endometrial microbiota
• Investigation of environmental factors influencing fertility and reproductive outcomes

• Bulletti FM, Giacomucci E, Guido M, Palagiano A, Coccia ME, Bulletti C. Revitalizing reproductive health: innovations and future frontiers in restorative medicine. Ther Adv Reprod Health. 2025 Jun 21;19:26334941251345844. doi: 10.1177/26334941251345844. PMID: 40546415; PMCID: PMC12182620.
• Bulletti FM, Guido M, Coccia ME, Palagiano A, Giacomucci E, Bulletti C. Reforming medical career progression: a call for merit-based systems. Front Med (Lausanne). 2025 Dec 1;12:1643399. doi: 10.3389/fmed.2025.1643399. PMID: 41404583; PMCID: PMC12702720
• Rizzello F, Coccia ME, Falcone P, Fucci R. Transnational gamete donation (TGD) programme: What is the optimal number of oocytes to be allocated? Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol. 2025 Sep;313:114628. doi: 10.1016/j.ejogrb.2025.114628. Epub 2025 Aug 6. PMID: 40782439.
• Coccia ME, Rizzello F, Wakunga S, et al. Correction to: 'Two countries-two labs': the transnational gamete donation (TGD) programme to support egg donation. J Assist Reprod Genet. 2024;41(2):521. doi:10.1007/s10815-023-03006-4
• Fini E, Argento FR, Borghi S, et al. Fibrinogen Structural Changes and Their Potential Role in Endometriosis-Related Thrombosis. Antioxidants (Basel). 2024;13(12):1456. Published 2024 Nov 27. doi:10.3390/antiox13121456
• Cirillo M, Argento FR, Becatti M, Fiorillo C, Coccia ME, Fatini C. Mediterranean Diet and Oxidative Stress: A Relationship with Pain Perception in Endometriosis. Int J Mol Sci. 2023;24(19):14601. Published 2023 Sep 27. doi:10.3390/ijms241914601
• Becatti M, Cito G, Argento FR, et al. Blood Leukocyte ROS Production Reflects Seminal Fluid Oxidative Stress and Spermatozoa Dysfunction in Idiopathic Infertile Men. Antioxidants (Basel). 2023;12(2):479. Published 2023 Feb 14. doi:10.3390/antiox12020479
• Cirillo M, Argento FR, Attanasio M, et al. Atherosclerosis and Endometriosis: The Role of Diet and Oxidative Stress in a Gender-Specific Disorder. Biomedicines. 2023;11(2):450. Published 2023 Feb 3. doi:10.3390/biomedicines11020450
• Coccia ME, Nardone L, Rizzello F. Endometriosis and Infertility: A Long-Life Approach to Preserve Reproductive Integrity. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2022;19(10):6162. Published 2022 May 19. doi:10.3390/ijerph19106162
• Cito G, Pizzarelli C, Zurkirch V, Basile V, Ruggiero M, Coccia ME, Inaudi P, Rossi P. Parenthood in Infertile Couples Attending Assisted Reproductive Technologies (ARTs) Centers: What Has Changed During the COVID-19 Pandemic? J Reprod Infertil. 2022 Apr-Jun;23(2):120-127. doi: 10.18502/jri.v23i2.8997. PMID:36043127; PMCID: PMC9363909.

Main scientific contributions

The group's main scientific contributions include the development and implementation of innovative approaches in reproductive medicine, particularly through the integration of artificial intelligence into clinical and embryological decision-making processes. The group has also made significant contributions to the optimization of cryopreservation and warming protocols in assisted reproductive technology (ART), enhancing the efficiency and clinical outcomes of fertility preservation and in vitro fertilization procedures.

Collaborations

• Gynecology and Obstetrics Unit, University of Florence and Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Careggi (Prof. F. Petraglia, Prof. M. Fambrini, Dr. F. Sorbi, Prof. F. Mecacci)
• Neurological Rehabilitation Unit, University of Florence and Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Careggi (Prof. MP. Amato)
• Clinical Biochemistry, Department of Clinical and Experimental Biomedical Sciences, University of Florence (Prof. C. Fiorillo)
• Centro di Riferimento Regionale sulle Criticità Relazionali Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Careggi (Dr. L. Belloni, Dr. V. Zurkich)

Dipartimenti aderenti oltre al DSBSC UNIFI

• Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine (DMSC), University of Florence
• Department of Chemistry "Ugo Schiff" (DICUS), University of Florence
• Department of Molecular and Developmental Medicine, University of Siena
• Department of Medicine, University of Padua