Preserving fertility with ovarian tissue transplantation 

Embryologist Media, a non-profit project mainly related to ART, posts a useful summary of ovarian cryopreservation. The article says "Currently, embryo and oocyte cryopreservation are the only fertility preservation techniques that are considered to be non-experimental by the American Society for Reproductive Medicine. Unfortunately, both approaches require previous preparation and stimulation with gonadotropins for oocyte retrieval, which usually requires 2-4 weeks or longer. Furthermore, oocyte harvest typically involves the use of transvaginal ultrasound and needle oocyte retrieval techniques, which could require general anaesthesia. This delay is often not appropriate for females requiring urgent therapy or in breast cancer patients, because high oestrogen levels might have detrimental effects on the primary tumour. Additionally, not all patients have partners with whom to create embryos for cryopreservation. Most clearly, these techniques are not indicated for young and pre-pubertal female patients due to the inability of their immature hypothalamic-pituitary axis to produce mature eggs. Under these circumstances, the possibility of cryopreservation of ovarian tissue (cortex) has become an urgent and highly demanded technology for two types of young female cancer patients. First, those who must undergo advanced chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy. Second, those with non-oncological systemic diseases such as autoimmune or haematological conditions, that sometimes require chemotherapy, radiotherapy, or bone marrow transplantation." The article continues with a description of some of the techniques. 

The aim of Embryologist Media is to give the latest news in the field of assisted reproduction, spreading knowledge and initiating discussions about related topics. It has no commercial relationships with the ART industry.

For further information
Ovarian Tissue Cryopreservation. Current procedures and outcomes

 

 

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