Specialist in Obstetrics/Gynaecology and Reproductive Medicine. Head of Human Reproduction Section, Hospital Del Mar and Director of the International Master’s Degree in Reproductive Medicine (UAB). He specialises in all aspects of reproductive medicine.
Dr Checa is also an associate professor at the Autonomous University of Barcelona (UAB) and Coordinator of the International Master’s Degree in Reproductive Medicine, where he teaches the next generation of doctors about assisted reproduction to specialists of different nationalities, training them not only as doctors but as global researchers to better assist their patients.
Dr Checa has contributed to the improvement of reproductive medicine by writing multiple international scientific articles followed by the entire scientific community, medical books and giving lectures, in Catalonia, Spain, Europe, Asia, USA and Latin America. He has lectured in front of scientific societies such as the American Society of Reproductive Medicine or the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology. His advances in human reproduction have been reported in newspapers such as La Vanguardia, El País, El Mundo and the Wall Street Journal.
He has written more than 35 chapters of books on Reproductive Medicine and has edited eight books in this discipline. He has published more than 100 scientific articles in specialised journals and since 1998 he has presented the findings of his research at the most prestigious congresses around the world. He has had the honour of being invited to lecture before the most important societies of reproductive medicine, such as the European and American ones.
Dr Checa graduated as a doctor from the Autonomous University of Barcelona and in 2003 he obtained his doctorate in medicine Cum Laude. Since its foundation, he has belonged to the gynaecological endocrinology group of the Catalan Society of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, and later to the Spanish Fertility Society. He is the coordinator of the Barcelona Research Infertility Group (recognised by the Catalonia Regional Government -Generalitat de Catalunya- as a researcher in Reproductive Medicine). He has spent time at prestigious universities such as the University of California San Diego, alongside Jeffrey Chang. His scientific articles have had a major impact on reproductive medicine, changing established concepts such as the freeze-all policy that is currently being adapted by many centres around the world.
The answer would be very long… but it all started when I witnessed a birth during my medical studies… that feeling of helping in something so important and positive was a strong motivating energy. Nowadays the joy you see in a couple when you finally give them a positive result is much greater than when I attended a birth and the second greatest joy is what I call “repeaters”, those couples who suddenly reappear in the office with a child of 2 or 3 years, saying that they have come for a sibling, to see these children in those families who have wanted them so much and who already talk to you makes me continue to perform reproductive medicine.
Because I can work with the latest technology to obtain great results with a spectacular laboratory. But I don’t lose contact with the patients since I can tailor my work and make our pregnancy rates increase. At such a crucial moment, I wouldn’t want to feel like just one more person on a long list. Working like this is fantastic, I don’t have any restrictions.
My mission is to place all the knowledge I have garnered over so many years at the service of patients and to give them the emotional support I have learned during this time after treating many couples. I’m always 100% honest and I explain all the different diagnostic and treatment options that I know and I usually end up agreeing with the couple on the best treatment for them. None of my couples are ill, they just want to have a child, so they are also important in the decision.
The strength of some patients is incredible, they have a persistence that reminds me of marathon runners or long-distance cyclists and swimmers. Whenever they leave with a positive result and it has cost them a lot I tell them “in reproduction, the one who doesn’t give up reaps the reward”. The patients who have suffered from cancer, whose eggs I preserved, who have subsequently overcome it and come to continue their lives and have a child are my greatest heroines at the moment.
I spend most of my time seeing my patients so when I have a free afternoon I go home to play with my kids and spend time with my wife. My passion is water sports such as windsurfing, kitesurfing and surfing, which I try to do whenever I’m on weekends or holidays.
I’m very extrovert and very good at building personal relationships, I love to spend time with my family and friends. As a good Taurus I am very stubborn and I don’t stop until I get what I want.
1: Bellver J, Bosch E, Espinós JJ, Fabregues F, Fontes J, García-Velasco J, Llácer J, Requena A, Checa MA; Spanish Infertility SWOT Group (SISG). Second-generation preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidy in assisted reproduction: a SWOT analysis. Reprod Biomed Online. 2019 Aug 13. pii:S1472-6483(19)30695-9. doi: 10.1016/j.rbmo.2019.07.037. [Epub ahead of print] Review. PubMed PMID:31653432.
2: Moreno-Sepulveda J, Checa MA. Risk of adverse perinatal outcomes after oocyte donation: a systematic review and meta-analysis. J Assist Reprod Genet. 2019 Oct;36(10):2017-2037. doi: 10.1007/s10815-019-01552-4. Epub 2019 Aug 22. PubMed PMID: 31440959.
3: Spanish Infertility SWOT Group (SISG), Checa MA, Bellver J, Bosch E, Espinós JJ, Fabregues F, Fontes J, García-Velasco J, Requena A. Hysteroscopic septum resection and reproductive medicine: A SWOT analysis. Reprod Biomed Online. 2018 Dec;37(6):709-715. doi: 10.1016/j.rbmo.2018.09.013. Epub 2018 Oct 22. Review. PubMed PMID: 30527061.
4: Ferrer-Molina P, Calatayud-Lliso C, Carreras-Collado R, Muñoz-García M, Díaz-Bachiller M, Blanes-Espí J, Checa M. Oral versus transdermal oestrogen delivery for endometrial preparation before embryo transfer: a prospective, comparative, randomized clinical trial. Reprod Biomed Online. 2018 Dec;37(6):693-702. doi: 10.1016/j.rbmo.2018.09.003. Epub 2018 Sep 29. PubMed PMID: 30340939.
5: Murta M, Machado RC, Zegers-Hochschild F, Checa MA, Sampaio M, Geber S. Endometriosis does not affect live birth rates of patients submitted to assisted reproduction techniques: analysis of the Latin American Network Registry database from 1995 to 2011. J Assist Reprod Genet. 2018 Aug;35(8):1395-1399. doi:10.1007/s10815-018-1214-5. Epub 2018 Jun 27. PubMed PMID: 29946760; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC6086800.
6: Avalos-Durán G, Cañedo-Del Ángel AME, Rivero-Murillo J, Zambrano-Guerrero JE, Carballo-Mondragón E, Checa-Vizcaíno MÁ. Physiological ICSI (PICSI) vs. Conventional ICSI in Couples with Male Factor: A Systematic Review. JBRA Assist Reprod. 2018 Jun 1;22(2):139-147. doi: 10.5935/1518-0557.20180027. PubMed PMID:29672006; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC5982561.
7: Vidal M, Vellvé K, González-Comadran M, Robles A, Prat M, Torné M, Carreras R, Checa MA. Perinatal outcomes in children born after fresh or frozen embryo transfer: a Catalan cohort study based on 14,262 newborns. Fertil Steril. 2017 Apr;107(4):940-947. doi: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2017.01.021. Epub 2017 Mar 11. PubMed PMID: 28292612.
8: González-Comadran M, Schwarze JE, Zegers-Hochschild F, Souza MD, Carreras R, Checa MÁ. The impact of endometriosis on the outcome of Assisted Reproductive Technology. Reprod Biol Endocrinol. 2017 Jan 24;15(1):8. doi: 10.1186/s12958-016-0217-2. PubMed PMID: 28118836; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC5260022.
9: Lattes K, Checa MA, Vassena R, Brassesco M, Vernaeve V. There is no evidence that the time from egg retrieval to embryo transfer affects live birth rates in a freeze-all strategy. Hum Reprod. 2017 Feb;32(2):368-374. doi: 10.1093/humrep/dew306. Epub 2016 Dec 16. PubMed PMID: 27986819.
10: Lafuente R, García-Blàquez N, Jacquemin B, Checa MA. Outdoor air pollution and sperm quality. Fertil Steril. 2016 Sep 15;106(4):880-96. doi: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2016.08.022. Epub 2016 Aug 24. Review. PubMed PMID: 27565259.
11: Checa Vizcaíno MA, González-Comadran M, Jacquemin B. Outdoor air pollution and human infertility: a systematic review. Fertil Steril. 2016 Sep 15;106(4):897-904.e1. doi: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2016.07.1110. Epub 2016 Aug 8. Review. PubMed PMID: 27513553.
12: Lattes K, Brassesco M, Gomez M, Checa MA. Low-dose growth hormone supplementation increases clinical pregnancy rate in poor responders undergoing in vitro fertilisation. Gynecol Endocrinol. 2015 Jul;31(7):565-8. doi: 10.3109/09513590.2015.1025378. Epub 2015 Jul 21. PubMed PMID: 26193891.
13: Gual-Frau J, Abad C, Amengual MJ, Hannaoui N, Checa MA, Ribas-Maynou J, Lozano I, Nikolaou A, Benet J, García-Peiró A, Prats J. Oral antioxidant treatment partly improves integrity of human sperm DNA in infertile grade I varicocele patients. Hum Fertil (Camb). 2015 Sep;18(3):225-9. doi: 10.3109/14647273.2015.1050462. Epub 2015 Jun 19. PubMed PMID: 26090928.
14: Roque M, Valle M, Sampaio M, Geber S, Checa MA. Ratio of progesterone-to-number of follicles as a prognostic tool for in vitro fertilization cycles. J Assist Reprod Genet. 2015 Jun;32(6):951-7. doi: 10.1007/s10815-015-0487-1. Epub 2015 May 1. PubMed PMID: 25925350; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC4491074.
15: Checa MA, Brassesco M, Sastre M, Gómez M, Herrero J, Marque L, Brassesco A, Espinós JJ. Random-start GnRH antagonist for emergency fertility preservation: a self-controlled trial. Int J Womens Health. 2015 Feb 12;7:219-25. doi: 10.2147/IJWH.S66743. eCollection 2015. PubMed PMID: 25709506; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC4332315.
16: Frutos V, González-Comadrán M, Solà I, Jacquemin B, Carreras R, Checa Vizcaíno MA. Impact of air pollution on fertility: a systematic review. Gynecol Endocrinol. 2015 Jan;31(1):7-13. doi: 10.3109/09513590.2014.958992. Epub 2014 Sep 12 Review. PubMed PMID: 25212280.
17: Prat M, Morales-Indiano C, Jimenez C, Mas V, Besses C, Checa MA, Carreras R. “20209C-T” a variant mutation of prothrombin gene mutation in a patient with recurrent pregnancy loss. Ann Clin Lab Sci. 2014 Summer;44(3):334-6. PubMed PMID: 25117109.
18: Nicolau P, Miralpeix E, Solà I, Carreras R, Checa MA. Alcohol consumption and in vitro fertilization: a review of the literature. Gynecol Endocrinol. 2014 Nov;30(11):759-63. doi: 10.3109/09513590.2014.938623. Epub 2014 Jul 9. Review. PubMed PMID: 25007008.
19: García-Peiró A, Ribas-Maynou J, Oliver-Bonet M, Navarro J, Checa MA, Nikolaou A, Amengual MJ, Abad C, Benet J. Multiple determinations of sperm DNA fragmentation show that varicocelectomy is not indicated for infertile patients with subclinical varicocele. Biomed Res Int. 2014;2014:181396. doi: 10.1155/2014/181396. Epub 2014 May 20. PubMed PMID: 24967335; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC4055098.
20: Miralpeix E, González-Comadran M, Solà I, Manau D, Carreras R, Checa MA. Efficacy of luteal phase support with vaginal progesterone in intrauterine insemination: a systematic review and meta-analysis. J Assist Reprod Genet. 2014 Jan;31(1):89-100. doi: 10.1007/s10815-013-0127-6. Epub 2013 Nov 6. Review. PubMed PMID: 24189966; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC3909129.
21: Lafuente R, González-Comadrán M, Solà I, López G, Brassesco M, Carreras R, Checa MA. Coenzyme Q10 and male infertility: a meta-analysis. J Assist Reprod Genet. 2013 Sep;30(9):1147-56. doi: 10.1007/s10815-013-0047-5. Epub 2013 Aug 3. PubMed PMID: 23912751; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC3800531.
22: López G, Lafuente R, Checa MA, Carreras R, Brassesco M. Diagnostic value of sperm DNA fragmentation and sperm high-magnification for predicting outcome of assisted reproduction treatment. Asian J Androl. 2013 Nov;15(6):790-4. doi: 10.1038/aja.2013.81. Epub 2013 Aug 5. PubMed PMID: 23912311; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC3854053.
23: Agramunt S, Checa MÁ, González-Comadrán M, Larrazabal F, Arbós A, Alameda F, Mancebo G, Carreras R. High-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion could be managed conservatively in women up to 25 years: results from a retrospective cohort study. J Low Genit Tract Dis. 2013 Oct;17(4):459-62. doi: 10.1097/LGT.0b013e3182838b7c. PubMed PMID: 23903201.
24: Robles A, Checa MA, Prat M, Carreras R. Medical alternatives to oocyte donation in women with premature ovarian failure: a systematic review. Gynecol Endocrinol. 2013 Jul;29(7):632-7. doi: 10.3109/09513590.2013.797397. Review. PubMed PMID: 23772774.
25: Rougier N, Uriondo H, Papier S, Checa MA, Sueldo C, Alvarez Sedó C. Changes in DNA fragmentation during sperm preparation for intracytoplasmic sperm injection over time. Fertil Steril. 2013 Jul;100(1):69-74. doi: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2013.03.005. Epub 2013 Apr 2. PubMed PMID: 23561542.
26: Gil M, Sar-Shalom V, Melendez Sivira Y, Carreras R, Checa MA. Sperm selection using magnetic activated cell sorting (MACS) in assisted reproduction: a systematic review and meta-analysis. J Assist Reprod Genet. 2013 Apr;30(4):479-85. doi: 10.1007/s10815-013-9962-8. Epub 2013 Mar 7. Review. PubMed PMID: 23468098; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC3644127.
27: Roque M, Lattes K, Serra S, Solà I, Geber S, Carreras R, Checa MA. Fresh embryo transfer versus frozen embryo transfer in in vitro fertilization cycles: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Fertil Steril. 2013 Jan;99(1):156-62. doi: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2012.09.003. Epub 2012 Oct 3. Review. PubMed PMID: 23040524.
28: González-Comadran M, Durán M, Solà I, Fábregues F, Carreras R, Checa MA. Effects of transdermal testosterone in poor responders undergoing IVF: systematic review and meta-analysis. Reprod Biomed Online. 2012 Nov;25(5):450-9. doi: 10.1016/j.rbmo.2012.07.011. Epub 2012 Jul 26. Review. PubMed PMID: 22999555.
29: Checa Vizcaíno MA, Corchado AR, Cuadri ME, Comadran MG, Brassesco M, Carreras 1. The effects of letrozole on ovarian stimulation for fertility preservation in cancer-affected women. Reprod Biomed Online. 2012 Jun;24(6):606-10. doi: 10.1016/j.rbmo.2012.02.020. Epub 2012 Mar 6. PubMed PMID: 22503276.
30: Checa MA, Espinós JJ, Requena A. Efficacy and safety of human for follicular phase stimulation in assisted reproduction: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Fertil Steril. 2012 Jun;97(6):1343-50.e1-3. doi: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2012.02.049. Epub 2012 Mar 30. Review. PubMed PMID: 22464087.
31: Garcia Grau E, Checa Vizcaíno MÁ, Oliveira M, Lleberia Juanós J, Carreras Collado R, Canet Estevez Y. The Value of Hysterosalpingography following Medical Treatment with Methotrexate for Ectopic Pregnancy. Obstet Gynecol Int. 2011;2011:547946. doi: 10.1155/2011/547946. Epub 2011 Sep 27. PubMed PMID: 21961008; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC3180780.
32: Marsillach J, Lafuente R, Checa MA, Maestre-Martínez C, Fabián E, Brassesco M, Beltrán-Debón R, Aragonès G, Carreras R, Pedro-Botet J, Joven J, Camps J. Paraoxonase-1 is only present in traceable amounts in seminal fluid and does not show any relationship with male subfertility. BJU Int. 2011 Aug;108(4):566-70. doi: 10.1111/j.1464 410X.2010.09888.x. Epub 2010 Nov 23. PubMed PMID: 21091978.
33: Espinós JJ, Calaf J, Estadella J, Checa MA. Hirsutism scoring in polycystic ovary syndrome: concordance between clinicians’ and patients’ self-scoring. Fertil Steril. 2010 Dec;94(7):2815-6. doi: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2010.05.022. Epub 2010 Jun 25. PubMed PMID: 20579644.
34: Mancebo G, Gil-Moreno A, Vergés R, Martínez-Palones JM, Checa MA, Carreras JM, Giralt J, Xercavins J. Out-of-protocol concurrent use of cisplatin and radiation therapy in locally advanced cervical cancer: feasibility and survival. Eur J Gynaecol Oncol. 2010;31(1):18-22. PubMed PMID: 20349775.
35: Marsillach J, Checa MA, Pedro-Botet J, Carreras R, Joven J, Camps J. Paraoxonase-1 in female infertility: a possible role against oxidative stress-induced inflammation. Fertil Steril. 2010 Aug;94(3):1132-4. doi: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2009.11.043. Epub 2010 Jan 25. PubMed PMID: 20100610.
36: Checa MA, Prat M, Carreras R. Antral follicle count as a predictor of hyperresponse in controlled ovarian hyperstimulation/intrauterine insemination in unexplained sterility. Fertil Steril. 2010 Aug;94(3):1105-7. doi: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2009.10.063. Epub 2010 Jan 4. PubMed PMID: 20045519.
37: Checa MA, Alonso-Coello P, Solà I, Robles A, Carreras R, Balasch J. IVF/ICSI with or without preimplantation genetic screening for aneuploidy in couples without genetic disorders: a systematic review and meta-analysis. J Assist Reprod Genet. 2009 May;26(5):273-83. doi: 10.1007/s10815-009-9328-4. Epub 2009 Jul 24. Review. PubMed PMID: 19629673; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC2719075.
38: Sastre ME, Prat MO, Checa MA, Carreras RC. Current trends in the treatment of polycystic ovary syndrome with desire for children. Ther Clin Risk Manag. 2009 Apr;5(2):353-60. Epub 2009 May 20. PubMed PMID: 19536311; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC2697533.
39: Requena A, Herrero J, Landeras J, Navarro E, Neyro JL, Salvador C, Tur R, Callejo J, Checa MA, Farré M, Espinós JJ, Fábregues F, Graña-Barcia M; Reproductive Endocrinology Interest Group of Spanish Society of Fertility. Use of letrozole in assisted reproduction: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Hum Reprod Update. 2008 Nov-Dec;14(6):571-82. doi: 10.1093/humupd/dmn033. Epub 2008 Sep 23. Review. PubMed PMID: 18812422; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC2569859.
40: Checa MA, Prat M, Robles A, Carreras R. Use of gonadotropin-releasing hormone antagonists to overcome the drawbacks of intrauterine insemination on weekends. Fertil Steril. 2006 Mar;85(3):573-7. PubMed PMID: 16500321.
41: Checa MA, Requena A, Salvador C, Tur R, Callejo J, Espinós JJ, Fábregues F, Herrero J; Reproductive Endocrinology Interest Group of the Spanish Society of Fertility. Insulin-sensitizing agents: use in pregnancy and as therapy in polycystic ovary syndrome. Hum Reprod Update. 2005 Jul-Aug;11(4):375-90. Epub 2005 May 5. Review. PubMed PMID: 15878899.
42: Risk of adverse perinatal outcomes after oocyte donation: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Moreno-Sepulveda J, Checa MA. J Assist Reprod Genet. 2019 Oct;36(10):2017-2037.
43: ALWAYS ICSI? A SWOT analysis. Bosch E, Espinós JJ, Fabregues F, Fontes J, García-Velasco J, Llácer J, Requena A, Checa MA, Bellver J; Spanish Infertility SWOT Group (SISG). J Assist Reprod Genet. 2020 Sep;37(9):2081-2092.
44: Second-generation preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidy in assisted reproduction: a SWOT analysis. Bellver J, Bosch E, Espinós JJ, Fabregues F, Fontes J, García-Velasco J, Llácer J, Requena A, Checa MA; Spanish Infertility SWOT Group (SISG). Reprod Biomed Online. 2019 Dec;39(6):905-915.
45: A freeze-all strategy does not increase live birth rates in women of advanced reproductive age. Lattes K, López S, Checa MA, Brassesco M, García D, Vassena R. J Assist Reprod Genet. 2020 Oct;37(10):2443-2451.
46: Septate uterus and reproductive outcomes: let’s get serious about this. Alonso Pacheco L, Ata B, Bettocchi S, Campo R, Carugno J, Checa MA, de Angelis C, Di Spiezio Sardo A, Donnez J, Farrugia M, Ferro J, Franchini M, Garzon S, Gianaroli L, Gergolet M, Gubbini G, Gordts S, Grimbizis G, Haimovich S, Laganà AS, Li TC, Mencaglia L, Rienzi L, Saravelos S, Soares SR, Tanos V, Ubeda A, Ubaldi FM, Van Herendael B, Vereczkey A, Vitagliano A, Vitale SG, Zullo F. Hum Reprod. 2020 Nov 1;35(11):2627-2629.
47: Correction to: Risk of adverse perinatal outcomes after oocyte donation: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Moreno-Sepulveda J, Checa MA. J Assist Reprod Genet. 2020 Jan;37(1):239.