Dr. Herman belongs to the Slovak capacities in the field of assisted reproduction. We are delighted that this eminent personality has been part of our team at Gyncare for many years. Read more about the beginnings of assisted reproduction in Slovakia, about the personal motivation of the doctor and about his practical experience, which he shared with us in the interview.
How do you remember your beginnings?
In the beginning there was an idea that captivated me and sparked my interest. This is the only way I can explain that I managed to ignite and convince others. It was all about repeatedly knocking on the same door. After all, when I think back on it, the beginnings were hilarious and memorable at the same time. Thirty years ago there were 2 teams working on the issue of artificial insemination, one in Bratislava and one here in Košice. In Košice we were lucky to have the support of the director of the Biological Institute and the former rector of the Veterinary University in Košice. They lent us instruments that were state-of-the-art at that time. Our great reinforcement was Dr. Hlinka, who came from the disappearing scientific institute in Zemplínská Teplice. We gained our first experience in IVF during our stay in Prague, where we had already had IVF experience. There I also bought my first needles for oocyte retrieval, of course, with my own money. Initial research was done on animal models. I remember we got permission to try surgical sperm retrieval on a ram, but we had to catch it first (laughs). I had white mice on my balcony at home at that time. It can be said that the beginnings of artificial insemination were at the vet’s office. The whole process was very lengthy, we had no financial or moral support. I have to admit that I started to lose hope at that time. Later, it was reversed. The hospital granted us funding, which is one of the reasons why the first successes came at the right time. I even got into newspapers and TV broadcasts. From then on it was easier.
What was the impetus for you to go in this direction and start working on the issue of artificial insemination?
On the one hand, it was my interest in the subject, which was a great unknown in Slovakia at that time, and on the other hand, the increasing pressure of society. Already during my schooling, my theses mainly dealt with endocrinology, hormones and infertility. I enjoyed new and unexplored things. A good friend paid for my first official training, from which I got my license. It was at the Bourn Hall Clinic near Cambridge that the world’s first successful IVF fertilisation took place. Later, at Oldham General Hospital in the UK, the first baby was born from artificial insemination as there was no maternity unit at Bourn Hall Clinic at the time. And that’s where I saw the perspective of the field. Hundreds of people were camped outside the hospital gates waiting for IVF. It was surreal. (ed. note. In 1978, Louise Brown, the first child born after artificial insemination, was born at Oldham General Hospital in the UK.)
Do you remember your first IVF baby?
I don’t remember exactly, but among the first were twins from Michalovce. You know, there have been several thousand babies born through IVF over the past few decades. It’s hard to remember them all But it always makes me very happy when parents bring them to show me or send me a photo or a report card. It also happens to me sometimes that they say hello to me in the street or in a shop. Others, on the other hand, pretend not to know you.
Do you think it’s also because this topic is still taboo?
Partly yes. People are still afraid to talk about this topic. Somehow they find it easier to talk about having their gallbladder removed than they do about the problem of conceiving a child. I think that many times couples who are having trouble conceiving have misinformation or incorrect information. The Internet is a good helper, but in this case there is often misinformation. Therefore, it is good not to be afraid, not to take the advice of non-experts, acquaintances and the Internet, but to go as soon as possible to a real expert and get advice in person.
What all affects fertility?
Nature itself. There is a lot that affects the possibility of conceiving a child. Whether it is the influence of the seasons, our biorhythm or our lifestyle. It is pertinent to note here that we do not know about many of the causes. However, I consider stress and the time factor to be the worst at the moment. Someone will say to themselves, it’s not time to have a baby yet, we have to sort out housing and work first. On the contrary, others want a baby as soon as tomorrow. Stress comes, and then they do not succeed. With regard to age, it could be generally said that conception problems increase with increasing age. However, interestingly, a woman has a period of 1-2 months before entering menopause when she is fertile just like a 20 year old girl. It’s such a last gasp of nature.
How do you perceive the infertility of women and men?
Infertility is a couple’s problem. One cannot blame infertility on the man or the woman alone. Sure, there are cases where it’s unambiguous, but very often we encounter that both have a problem. Sometimes it’s even about a couple not being able to have a child together, and when they each find a different partner, they both make it work.
You have been working in this field for decades, you were at the birth of artificial insemination in Slovakia. How do you feel about conceiving a child after such a long time?
I still see it as a miracle. It is a unique thing that a couple receives as a gift from nature. We are not omnipotent either, there are very many variables that prevent conception. Therefore, I accept with humility the fact that we have figured out how to help in many cases.
