1. Biography

2. Life and career

3. Research

4. Achievements, honours and affiliation

5. Awards

6. Monographs

7. References

Biography

Valentyn Ivanovych Gryshchenko (November 27, 1928 Kharkiv – January 3, 2011) is a Ukrainian and Soviet scientist, obstetrician, cryobiologist, specialist in cryomedicine, teacher, Academician of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, Doctor of Medicine, Professor, Academician of the Technological Cybernetics Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, Academician of the New York Academy of Sciences, Honorary member of the Association of Reproductologists “Family”, Honorary member of the Indian Cryogenic Society, Honorary member of the Polish Academy of Medical Sciences, winner of state awards in the USSR, Ukrainian SSR, Ukraine in the field of science and technology, Honored worker of science and technology of Ukraine (1992).

Life and career

Valentyn Gryshchenko was born to the family of an outstanding obstetrician Professor I.I. Gryshchenko. On leaving secondary school in 1945, V. Gryshchenko entered two universities in his home-town: Kharkiv Medical Institute and Kharkiv Polytechnical Institute. In 1951 he graduated from Kharkiv National Medical University with honor and entered clinical internship specializing in obstetrics and gynecology of N.K. Krupskaya Kharkiv Research Institute of Motherhood and Childhood Protection. In 1954 started working as a junior researcher, and in 1956 – as a senior researcher, performed numerous surgeries.

In 1957 started working first as an assistant, later as an associate professor at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Kharkiv National Medical University. His research supervisor was Professor V.F. Matveyeva. In 1954 was awarded the degree of PhD in Medicine, and in 1964 – the degree of Doctor of Medicine (at the age of 36).

In 1965 V. Gryshchenko was appointed Vice-Rector on Research. In 1966 was awarded the title of Professor. In 1968 was appointed head of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology of Kharkiv National Medical University.

From 1983 to 2011 on the initiative of the President of the Academy of Sciences of Ukraine B. Paton, headed the Institute for Problems of Cryobiology and Cryomedicine of the National Academy of Science of Ukraine..^[1]

Research

The scientist’s scope of research interests included problems of the human reproductive system. V. Gryshchenko was the first in Ukraine to treat various forms of infertility with assisted reproductive technology (ART), namely: artificial insemination, with the partner’s or donor’s semen, IVF, etc. V. Gryshchenko supervised development of new contraceptives, methods of termination of pregnancy, of treatment for endocrine infertility/sterility with the help of laser radiation, by means of craniocerebral hypothermia, reinfusion of the patient’s own red blood cells exposed to ultraviolet irradiation, and tissue transplantation.

V. Gryshchenko successfully completed the world’s first attempt at cryopreservation of human sperm and embryos. ^[2]

V. Gryshchenko conducted research on pathogenesis of cryodestruction and cryoprotection of human embryonic, hematopoietic and fetal cells, of placenta, cord blood, etc.

V. Gryshchenko actively participated in initiating and developing a new medical technology – application of low temperatures in obstetrics and gynecology for therapeutic purposes. This technology provided among others the cryosurgical method of treatment for dysfunctional uterine bleeding and cervical erosion

A team of researchers headed by V. Gryshchenko succeeded in implementing principles and methods of cryomedicine in obstetrics and gynecology (cryopreservation of reproductive cells).^[3] Further scientific research resulted in V. Gryshchenko’s successful IVF first in Ukraine (1991) and birth of the first ‘test-tube baby-girl’. ^[4] The following success came a year later in 1992 when supervised by V. Gryshchenko the first in Ukraine child surrogacy took place, and later on – the birth of a child after cryopreservation of the embryo. ^[5] Such scientific break-throughs and pioneering methods developed by Kharkiv obstetricians gave rise to launching similar centers in other cities of Ukraine. Thus Kharkiv enjoys the status of the cradle of reproductive medicine in Ukraine. At present, Academician V. Gryshchenko Reproductive Medicine Clinic “Implant” is headed by V. Gryshchenko’s grandson – Mykola Gryshchenko.^[6] The clinic keeps up the traditions and successful scientific research of the Gryshchenkos’ dynasty. ^[7]

Achievements, honours and affiliation

V. Gryshchenko was awarded over 135 patents for inventions and certificates of authorship; was the author of over 1,000 scientific papers, including 21 monographs and 8 manuals. ^[8] V. Gryshchenko supervised 27 Doctors of Medicine and 108 PhDs in Medicine.

In 1979 the scientist was elected corresponding member, and in 1983 full member of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine.

V. Gryshchenko was an editor of the Big Medical Encyclopedia editing department on obstetrics and gynecology; a member of the editorial board for the following journals: ‘Obstetrics and Gynecology’, ‘Pediatrics, Obstetrics and Gynecology’, ‘International Medical Journal’, ‘Cryobiology’, ‘Cryoletters’; the editor-in-chiefof the ‘Problems of Cryobiology and Cryomedicine’ journal; Head of the Research society of cryobiology and cryomedicine of Ukraine; Deputy Head of the Ukrainian Obstetricians’ Association; a member of the Maternal Mortality International Committee, of the Ukrainian Cryosurgeons’ Society, of the European Obstetricians’ Society. In 1976—1979 worked as a counselor for the World Health Organization on the Special Programme in Human Reproduction, since 1980 was a WHO expert ^[9]

Awards

• State prizes of the Ukrainian SSR, USSR, Ukraine in science and technology (1977, 1986, 2002)

• Yaroslav the Wise Order (2008)

• V.F. Snegiryov prize awarded by the Academy of Medical Sciences of the USSR (1981)

• О.O. Bohomolets prize awarded by the Academy of Sciences of Ukraine (1992)

• Honored Worker of Science and Technology of Ukraine (1992)

• Order of Honor (1976)

• President’s Orders of Merit (Ukraine) (1997, 2002)

• Anniversary Medal ‘For Valorous Work’ (1970)

• Golden Medal of the Polish Academy of Medical Sciences (1999)

• In 2001 the International Committee ‘European Contrasts Limited’ nominated V. Gryshchenko for outstanding scientific and practical achievements, awarded him the title “Manager of the 21st Century” and a golden medal, and ranked as a leader of the European Community of the 21st century^[10]

.

• In 2002 received ‘The Golden Scroll’ international award in the ‘Manager of the Year’ nomination

Monographs

1. Late Pregnancy Toxicosis. 1968.

2. Hypothermia and Cryosurgery in Obstetrics and Gynecology. 1974.

3. Modern Methods of Diagnostics of and Treatment for Late Pregnancy Toxicosis. 1977.

4. Antenatal Fetal Death. 1978. (In co-authorship with A.F. Yakovtsova).

5. The Role of the Epiphysis in Female Reproductive System Physiology and Pathology. 1979.

6. Scientific Background to Birth Control. 1983.

7. Cryopreservation of Reproductive Cells. 1986. (In co-authorship with A. M. Belous, Yu. S. Parashchuk).

8. Obstetric Aid with Late Pregnancy Toxicosis. 1986. (In co-authorship with I.P. Ivanov et al.).

9. Application of EpiphysisPreparation in Clinical Practice. 1985. (In co-authorship with R. S. Karpov, V. D. Sneprykin et al.).

10. Practical Cryomedicine. 1987. (In co-authorship with V.P. Sandomirskiy et al.).

11. Hematopoietic Cells of Fetal Liver. 1988. (In co-authorship with G. S. Lobyntseva, I. A. Votyakova, S. I. Shereshkov).

12. Scientific Background to Birth Control. 2nd edition. 1988.

13. Large Fetus. 1991. (In co-authorship with A.F. Yakovtsova).

14. Cryobiology and Infertility Issues. 1990. (In co-authorship with Yu.S. Parashchuk et al.).

15. Biogenic Monoamines and Brain Excitability. 1992. (In co-authorship with N.G. Serhiyenko, G.A. Loginova).

16. The Course of Pregnancy and Childbirth with Extragenital Diseases. 1992. (In co-authorship with N.A. Shcherbina et al.).

17. Perinatal Hypoxia. 1993. (In co-authorship with N.A. Shcherbina, S.V. Guz).

18. Cryopreservation of Endocrine Organs Tissues and Cells. 1993. (In co-authorship with V.A. Chuiko, N.S. Pushkar).

19. Computer Diagnostics and Prediction in Obstetrics and Gynecology. 1994. In co-authorship with N.A. Shcherbina, L.V. Potapova).

20. Cryobiology. 1994. (In co-authorship with A.I. Belous).

21. Obstetrics for Intern Doctors. 1996

References

• Battle of Ulrichen
• Battle of Ulrichen (disambiguation)
• Battle of Ulubad
• Battle of Umbara
• Battle of Union
• Battle of Upsala
• Battle of Urica
• Battle of Ushant 1778
• Battle of Utapau
• Battle of Utica (204 BC)
• Battle of Utica (81 BC)
• Battle of Vadgaon
• Battle of Vailà
• Battle of Valencia
• Battle of Valentia 75 BC
• Battle of Valverde Ford
• Battle of Val-ès-Dunes
• Battle of Van Creek
• Battle of Varey
• Battle of Varja
• Battle of Varkaus
• Battle of Varolampi Pond
• Battle of Vaughn Road
• Battle of Vega de Pagana
• Battle of Vegkop