FNB Reproductive Medicine: Admissions, Medical Colleges, Fees, Eligibility criteria details

FNB Reproductive Medicine deals with the male and female reproductive systems. It focuses on a variety of reproductive conditions, their prevention, and assessment, as well as their subsequent treatment and prognosis.

The course is a full-time course pursued at various accredited institutes/hospitals across the country, the top institutions include Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, New Delhi, Lok Nayak Jai Prakash (LNJP) Hospital (Maulana Azad Medical College), Delhi, and more.

Candidates get admission to 2 years FNB course after successfully qualifying for the FET (Fellowship Entrance Test) examination which NBEMS conducts. FET is conducted annually as per the prescribed schedule. The merit-based counselling for admissions to the FNB Programme after the conduct of FET is administered by NBEMS.

The fee for pursuing FNB Reproductive Medicine varies from accredited institute/hospital to hospital and is Rs.1,25,000 per year.

After completion of their respective course, doctors can either join the job market. Candidates can take reputed jobs at positions as research fellows, Senior residents, Consultants, etc. with an approximate average salary range of Rs. 10 lakh to Rs. 15 lakh per year.

The Nomenclature of the FNB qualification awarded by the National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences is “Fellow of National Board”. The FNB qualifications are recognized qualifications in terms of the Gazette notification dated 10th August 2016.

What is FNB in Reproductive Medicine?

FNB in Reproductive Medicine is a two-year doctoral fellowship program that candidates can pursue after completing a postgraduate degree.

Reproductive Medicine deals with the male and female reproductive systems. It encompasses a variety of reproductive conditions, their prevention, and assessment, as well as their subsequent treatment and prognosis.

The National Board of Examinations (NBE) has released a curriculum for FNB Reproductive Medicine.

The curriculum governs the education and training of FNB Reproductive Medicine.

Course Highlights

Here are some of the course highlights of FNB Reproductive Medicine

Name of Course	FNB Reproductive Medicine
Level	Fellowship
Duration of Course	Two years
Course Mode	Full Time
Minimum Academic Requirement	Candidates must have a postgraduate medical degree in DNB/MD/MS Obst. & Gynaecology from any college/university recognized by the Medical Council of India (Now NMC)/NBE, this feeder qualification mentioned here is as of 2022. For any further changes to the prerequisite requirement please refer to the NBE website.
Admission Process / Entrance Process / Entrance Modalities	Entrance Exam (FET) Merit-based counselling administered by NBEMS
Course Fees	Rs.1,25,000 per year
Average Salary	Rs. 10 lakh to Rs.15 lakh per year

Eligibility Criteria

The eligibility criteria for FNB in Reproductive Medicine are defined as the set of rules or minimum prerequisites that aspirants must meet in order to be eligible for admission, which include: 

Name of Fellowship course	Course Type	Prior Eligibility Requirement
Reproductive Medicine	FNB	DNB/MD/MS Obst. & Gynaecology

Note:

· The feeder qualification for FNB Reproductive Medicine is defined by the NBE and is subject to changes by the NBE.

· The feeder qualification mentioned here is as of 2022.

· For any changes, please refer to the NBE website.

•There is no upper age limit for training in NBEMS Fellowship courses

Admission Process

The admission process contains a few steps to be followed for the candidates for admission to FNB. Candidates can view the complete admission process for FNB Reproductive Medicine mentioned below:

Fees Structure

The fee structure for FNB Reproductive Medicine varies from accredited institute/hospital to hospital. The fee is generally less for Government Institutes and more for private institutes. The average fee structure for FNB Reproductive Medicine is Rs.1,25,000.

Colleges offering FNB Reproductive Medicine

Various accredited institutes/hospitals across India offer courses for pursuing FNB Reproductive Medicine.

As per the National Board of Examinations website, the following accredited institutes/hospitals are offering (FNB Reproductive Medicine) courses for the academic year 2022-23.

Hospital/Institute	Specialty	No. of Accredited Seat(s) (Broad/Super/Fellowship)
Bangalore Assisted Conception Centre (BACC) No. 7, East park Road, Kumara Park East, High Grounds, Bangalore Karnataka-560001	Reproductive Medicine	4
Bangalore Baptist Hospital Bellary Road, Hebbal, Bangalore Karnataka-560024	Reproductive Medicine	1
Bansal Hospital C Sector, Shahpura Bhopal Madhya Pradesh-462016	Reproductive Medicine	1
Bharati Vidyapeeth (Deemed to be University) Medical College Dhanakawadi Pune-Satara Road, Pune Maharashtra-411043	Reproductive Medicine	2
Craft Hospital and Research Centre Kodungallur, Trichur Kerala-680664	Reproductive Medicine	1
Edappal Hospital Edappal, MALAPURAM Kerala-679576	Reproductive Medicine	1
KJK Hospital Fertility Research and Gynaec Centre Shaw Wallace Lane, Near Mar Ivanios College, Nalanchira, Thiruvananthapuram Kerala-695015	Reproductive Medicine	2
Lifeline Super Specialty Hospital 14th Mile, Melood, PO- Adoor, Pathanamthitta Dist. Kerala-691523	Reproductive Medicine	2
Lok Nayak Jai Prakash (L N J P) Hospital (Maulana Azad Medical College) J L Nehru Marg, Delhi-110002	Reproductive Medicine	3
Madras Medical Mission Hospital 4A Dr. Jayalalitha Ngr, Mogappair CHENNAI Tamil Nadu-600037	Reproductive Medicine	2
NOVA Pulse IVF Clinic, (Formerly Pulse Women's Hospital) 108, Swastik Society, Navrangpura, Ahmedabad, Gujarat-380009	Reproductive Medicine	2
Oasis Centre for Reproductive Medicine Plot No. 8-2-269/3/1/4 Near NATCO Pharma, Banjara Hills, Road No. 2, Hyderabad Telangana-500034	Reproductive Medicine	2
Ruby Hall Clinic 40 Sassoon Road Pune Maharashtra-411001	Reproductive Medicine	2
Shivani Hospital Pvt Ltd Shivani Hospital Pvt Ltd 120/503, Shivaji Nagar, Kanpur Uttar Pradesh Uttar Pradesh-208005	Reproductive Medicine	2
Sir Ganga Ram Hospital Rajinder Nagar, New Delhi Delhi-110060	Reproductive Medicine	2
Sudha Hospitals No. 162, 181 Perundurai Road Erode Tamil Nadu-638011	Reproductive Medicine	3
Women's Center by Motherhood 146 B, Mettupalayam Road, Coimbatore Tamil Nadu-641043	Reproductive Medicine	2

Syllabus

FNB in Reproductive Medicine is a two years specialization course that provides training in the stream of Reproductive Medicine.

The course content for FNB Reproductive Medicine is given in the NBE Curriculum released by the National Board of Examinations, which can be assessed through the link mentioned below:

Basic Sciences

1. Anatomy: Comprehensive knowledge of the pelvis's regional anatomy, including female and male reproductive organs. Detailed knowledge of gross anatomy of the hypothalamus, pituitary, and adrenal glands. Comprehensive knowledge of the histology of the genital tract and endocrine glands related to reproduction. Detailed knowledge of cell structure about function.

2. Physiology: Comprehensive knowledge of human physiology with particular reference to the female and male reproductive systems.

3. Genetics and molecular biology: Detailed knowledge of sexual differentiation and common inherited disorders. Knowledge of the principles of inheritance of chromosomal and genetic disorders. Detailed knowledge of chromosomal abnormalities involve in reproduction.

4. Embryology: Comprehensive knowledge of gametogenesis, fertilization, and early embryo development. Comprehensive knowledge of the development of the reproductive organs and abnormalities associated with them. Knowledge of common fetal malformations.

5. Pathology: Detailed knowledge of the cytopathology and histology of the female and male reproductive tract.

6. Biochemistry: Knowledge of the metabolism and function of neurotransmitters, receptors, and autocrine and paracrine factors.

7. Biophysics: Knowledge of the physical principles and biological effects on reproductive organs of heat, sound, and electromagnetic radiation, understanding of the principles of laser, isotopes, X-rays, ultrasound, and magnetic resonance imaging.

8. Immunology: Detailed Knowledge of immune mechanisms and the principles of reproductive immunology

9. Pharmacology: Comprehensive knowledge of the properties, pharmacodynamics, actions, interactions, and hazards of pharmacological agents

which are used in reproductive medicine and particularly compounds that could have a deleterious effect on the reproductive tract and adverse epigenetic influence.

Clinical Sciences

1. Infertility: Comprehensive knowledge of epidemiology, causes, investigations, and management of female and male infertility.

2. Endocrinology: Comprehensive knowledge of gynecological and andrological endocrinology including its applications in reproductive medicine.

3. Reproductive Genetics: Detailed knowledge of genetic disorders related to female and male reproduction (infertility, recurrent abortions, etc).

4. Pediatric and adolescence: Detailed knowledge of normal and abnormal sexual development and specific disorders affecting young females and males and adolescents

5. Disorders of menstruation: Comprehensive knowledge of normal menstruation and the pathophysiology of menstrual disorders, their investigations, and management

6. Andrology: Comprehensive knowledge of normal and abnormal spermatogenesis, as well as of testicular, epididymal and accessory sex glands pathophysiology. Comprehensive knowledge of erection and ejaculation, as well as their physiopathology. Detailed knowledge of endocrine changes in spermatogenesis, monogram, and sperm function tests.

7. Andrology laboratory: Semen analysis, processing of semen for various procedures – intrauterine insemination, IVF/ICSI, processing samples of testicular/epididymal sperms for ICSI.

8. Assisted reproductive technology: Evolution of different technologies in ART. Controlled ovarian stimulation, oocyte retrieval, and embryo transfer techniques.

Comprehensive knowledge of endocrine therapy, especially ovarian stimulation and its complications. Comprehensive understanding of the ART: insemination, IVF,

ICSI. Comprehensive knowledge of gamete and embryo donation. Comprehensive knowledge of pre-implantation genetic diagnostic techniques

9. Embryology laboratory: Culture media, oocyte identification, insemination, fertilization and cleavage check, blastocyst culture, embryo hatching, techniques of intra-cytoplasmic sperm injection, cryopreservation, and its principles. Semen freezing /embryo freezing/oocyte freezing with slow freeze techniques or vitrification.

10. Comprehensive knowledge of reproductive surgery and competence in common fertility-enhancing endoscopic and open surgeries.

11. Ultrasound: Detailed knowledge and competence in ultrasound in all aspects:-

a) Pelvic ultrasound in women and ability to diagnose pathological conditions

of the female genital tract

b) Scrotal ultrasound

c) Follicle monitoring

d) Ultrasound-guided invasive procedures.

12. Statistics and epidemiology: Detailed knowledge of statistical analysis. Collection of data in reproductive medicine as well as the knowledge of calculating the effectiveness of infertility treatments. Detailed knowledge of setting up and interpreting clinical trials. Knowledge of evidence-based medicine about human reproduction as well as the knowledge of meta-analysis or guidelines on diagnosis or management of various conditions given by important medical bodies such as RCOG, ASRM, ESHREE, or Cochrane.

13. Psychosomatic: Knowledge of psychosexual and stress-related disorders.

Detailed knowledge of the psychopathology and management of psychosexual disorders, and the influence of stress conditions such as ejaculation disorders, impotence, and vaginismus.

14. Ethics and law: Detailed knowledge of ethical and national legal issues involved in reproductive medicine and ART and the resources required in providing adequate health care in hospitals and the wider community.

Detailed Syllabus

A. Basic & Applied Sciences:

• Basic Anatomy and physiology of the male and female reproductive system

• Applied Pharmacology, Biochemistry, and Pathology of the male and female reproductive system

• Physiology: Menstrual cycle/ovulation

• Endocrinology: Relevant to human reproduction – hypothalamic-pituitary ovarian hormones.

Ovarian Hormones: Structure, Biosynthesis, Function, Mechanism of Action, and

Laboratory Diagnosis. Knowledge of autocrine and paracrine hormones.

• Endocrine disturbances affecting reproduction such as thyroid and adrenal function. Physiologic and Pathophysiologic Alterations of the Neuroendocrine

Components of the Reproductive Axis

• Normal puberty and pubertal disorders.

• Polycystic ovary syndrome and other hyperandrogenic states

• Abnormal Uterine Bleeding

• Disorders of Sex Development

• Reproductive Immunology and Its Disorders

• Ultra-sonography in reproductive medicine

• Endoscopic surgery, both Hysteroscopy and Laparoscopy

• Diagnosis of male and female infertility

• Ovulation Induction

• Monitoring of Ovulation

• Intrauterine insemination

• Controlled Ovarian Stimulation

• Embryology: Gametogenesis and fertilization

• Genetics: Nomenclature / Basic principle / Pre-implantation genetic diagnosis

• Laboratory equipment – handling and maintenance, record keeping, quality control, and quality assurance

• Andrology: Spermatogenesis.

• Andrology laboratory: Semen analysis and sperm function tests

• Infertility: Broad outlines of causes of male and female infertility. Workup of the male and female partner.

• Assisted reproductive technology: Evolution and different technologies

• Processing sperm for various procedures –for intrauterine insemination, IVF,

ICSI

• Processing samples of testicular / Epididymal sperms

• Embryology Laboratory

• Culture media

• Egg Identification

• Insemination

• Normal/abnormal Fertilization and cleavage check.

• Blastocyst culture

• Embryo hatching

• Techniques of intra-cytoplasmic sperm injection

• Cryopreservation

Principles of cryopreservation

• Semen freezing/oocyte freezing/ embryo freezing

• Slow freeze techniques/vitrification

• Ovum pick-up and embryo transfer

• Safety issues in ART including OHSS and multiple pregnancies

• Embryology lab quality control and maintenance

• Exposure to laboratory techniques in ART

• Storage and use of gametes

• Basics of reproductive genetics

B. Genetic history and counseling

C. Pre-implantation genetic diagnosis

D. Pre-implantation genetic screening

E. Endometrial Receptivity assay

F. Ethical principles in ART

After completion of the course, the reproductive medicine specialist will be proficient in the following areas of learning:

1. Operative gynecological open surgery, minimally invasive surgery, and microsurgery for pelvic resurrection.

• Proficient in the practice of microsurgical principles as applied to the treatment of tubal disease, especially distal tubal obstruction, proximal tubal re-canalization, and mid-tubal obstruction by the end-to-end anastomosis.

• Proficient in principles and practice of diagnostic and operative laparoscopy for conditions like ovarian cystectomy/ resection and desiccation of endometriosis /myomectomy and repair of tubal blocks and adhesiolysis etc.

• Proficient in the principles and practice of diagnostic and operative hysteroscopy for conditions causing infertility like removal of foreign body, polyps, IUCD, biopsy, septum resection, adhesiolysis, cannulation of tubal

ostium and myomectomy for sub-mucous fibroid.

• A clear understanding of the principles of the reconstructive surgery as applied to Mullerian duct abnormalities – vaginoplasty for vaginal agenesis, or unification of bicornuate uterus.

2. Reproductive endocrinology and its management.

3. Proficient in the etiology, pathophysiology, diagnosis, and management of common gynecological problems related to infertility like – fibroids/endometriosis / pelvic infections /ectopic pregnancy and management of high-order pregnancy.

4. Expertise in the use of ovulation-inducing agents and hormonal control of the menstrual cycle and controlled ovarian stimulation.

5. Follicular recruitment and oocyte retrieval procedure.

6. Understand and be able to manage OHSS.

7. Trans Vaginal Ultrasonography with particular reference to follicular monitoring and early pregnancy scanning.

8. Andrology: Semen analysis and semen preparation

9. Laboratory Technology: Familiarity with ART laboratory equipment,

maintenance and troubleshooting.

10. Oocyte identification and grading, embryo grading, micromanipulation, cell culture, freezing techniques, etc

11. Medico-legal and ethical aspects

A. Third-Party Reproduction

a. Oocyte donation

b. Embryo donation

c. Sperm donation

d. Surrogacy

B. Ethical & medico-legal aspects of infertility management- ICMR guidelines

12. Miscellaneous

• Biostatics & Data management.

• Fertility preservation – Social & Onco- fertility.

• Monitoring & treatment of early pregnancy after ART treatment

• Research Methodology

• Medical statistics

• Writing and presenting a paper

Suggested minimal requirements:

Assist 10 Proximal cornual block

• Perform 05 Tubal re-canalization procedures

• Minimally Invasive Assist 20 diagnostic laparoscopies

• Assist 20 operative laparoscopies

• Perform 10 diagnostic laparoscopies

• Perform 10 operative laparoscopies

• Andrology Assist 20 PESA, TESA, TESE of testis

• Perform 5 PESA, TESA, TESE testis

• IVF Assist 25 Oocyte retrieval

• Perform 10 Oocyte retrieval

• Laboratory Observe 20 semen analyses & 20 sperm preparation

• Perform 10 semen analysis & 10 sperm wash procedures

• Follow up 5 cases of IVF & 5 ICSI retrieval to embryo transfer (written records)

Counseling sessions

Observed 10 sessions & Performed 25 sessions

1. Reproductive anatomy and physiology of the male and the female.

2. Reproductive endocrinology.

3. Gametogenesis.

4. Fertilization in vivo.

5. Implantation and early embryogenesis.

6. Pathology of infertility - Causes of infertility namely the ovarian, tubal, uterine,

male factors, the pathology that reduces fertility namely endometriosis, fibroid,

adenomyosis uterine anomaly, etc.

7. Approach to investigate and diagnose sub-fertility.

8. Clinical decision-making and choice of treatment.

9. Pharmacology - Pharmacological effects of the various drugs including the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of the commonly used drugs.

Prostaglandins and Other Lipid Mediators in Reproductive Medicine

10. Clinical Embryology.

• Principles and practice of semen analysis and cryopreservation of semen.

• Cytology of mammalian and human oocytes to identify stages of oocyte maturation accurately.

• All aspects of embryology including developmental.

• Cell biological techniques used in cell and tissue culture.

Molecular biology and genetics of human reproduction.

• Micromanipulation of sperm and oocytes for carrying out ICSI and single-cell

biopsies of embryos for preimplantation genetic diagnosis.

• Principles and functioning of all the equipment used in the laboratory.

• In vitro fertilization of oocytes after processing the gametes.

• Principles and practice of embryo freezing.

11. Anesthesia during the ART procedure.

12. Complication of an ART procedure.

13. Ovulation induction during IUI and IVF procedures.

14. Ultrasound and other imaging modalities in infertility.

15. Fundamental of the surgical procedures namely laparoscopy, hysteroscopy, etc.

16. Pre-conception evaluation and counseling.

17. Administration setting up the ART unit, quality control, and assurance, creating a protocol for management, and organizing and coordinating clinical meetings.

18. Research and audit.

19. Counseling of the infertile couple Implicative, therapeutic, ethical, and social.

20. Teaching.

21. Clinical andrology.

Topics to be included in all subjects:

• Biostatistics, Research Methodology and Clinical Epidemiology

• Ethics

• Medico-legal aspects relevant to the discipline

• Health Policy issues as may apply to the discipline 

Career Options

After completing FNB Reproductive Medicine, candidates will get employment opportunities in Government and the Private sector.

In the Government sector, candidates have various options to choose from which include Junior research fellow, Teaching at academic medical centers, and Consultants.

While in the Private sector, the options are Fellow (Reproductive Medicine), Junior research fellow, Senior Research fellow (Reproductive Medicine), and Consultants.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) –FNB Reproductive Medicine Course /FNB in Reproductive Medicine Course

Answer: The full form of FNB is a Fellow of National board.

Answer: FNB in Reproductive Medicine or Fellow of National Board (FNB)/Fellow of National Board - Post Doctoral (FNB-PD) Reproductive Medicine is a post-doctoral fellowship program for doctors in India that is done by them after completion of their postgraduate medical degree course.

Answer: FNB in Reproductive Medicine is a doctoral fellowship program of two years.

Answer: The candidate must have a postgraduate medical degree in DNB/MD/MS Obst. & Gynaecology from any college/university recognized by the Medical Council of India (Now NMC)/NBE. The feeder qualification mentioned here is as of 2022. For any further changes to the prerequisite requirement please refer to the NBE website.

Answer: FNB Reproductive Medicine offers candidates various employment opportunities and career prospects.

Answer: The FNB Reproductive Medicine candidate’s average salary is between Rs.10 lakh to Rs. 15 lakh per annum depending on the experience.

Answer: Yes, the candidate can teach in a medical college/hospital after completing the fellowship.