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Human oocyte and ovarian tissue cryopreservation and its application

  • Assisted Reproduction
  • Published:
Journal of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Purpose

To review the recent progress in human oocyte and ovarian tissue cryopreservation, and in the application of these two technologies for preserving female fertility of patients who are undergoing cancer treatment.

Design

The literature on human oocyte and ovarian tissue freezing was searched with PubMed. The scientific background, current developments and potential future applications of these two methods were reviewed.

Results

Chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy can induce premature ovarian failure in most of female cancer patients. Consequently, there has been a greater need for options to preserve the reproductive potential of these individuals. However, options are somewhat limited currently, particularly following aggressive chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy treatment protocols. In recent years, there have been considerable advances in the cryopreservation of human oocytes and ovarian tissue. For women facing upcoming cancer therapies, cryopreservation of ovarian tissue and oocytes is a technology that holds promise for banking reproductive potential for the future. Recent laboratory modifications have resulted in improved oocyte survival, oocyte fertilization, and pregnancy rates from frozen–thawed oocytes in IVF. This suggests potential for clinical application.

Conclusions

In the case of patients who are facing infertility due to cancer therapy, oocyte cryopreservation may be one of the few options available. Ovarian tissue cryopreservation can only be recommended as an experimental protocol in carefully selected patients. In ovarian tissue transplantation, more research is needed in order to enhance the revascularization process with the goal of reducing the follicular loss that takes place after tissue grafting. These technologies are still investigational, although tremendous progress has been made. The availability of such treatment will potentially lead to its demand not only from patients with cancer but also from healthy women who chose to postpone childbearing until later in life and therefore wish to retain their fertility.

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Acknowledgements

The authors wish to thank Dr. Wenling Zhang for searching literature and excellent help in preparing this manuscript.

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  1. The Toronto Institute For Reproductive Medicine, 56 Aberfoyle crescent, Suit 300, Toronto, ON, Canada, M8X 2W4

    Tao Tao & Alfonso Del Valle

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  1. Tao Tao
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  2. Alfonso Del Valle
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Correspondence to Tao Tao.

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Capsule Cryopreservation of ovarian tissue and oocytes is a technology that holds promise for banking reproductive potential for the future. This paper reviews the scientific background, current developments and potential future applications of two methods for preserving female fertility: ovarian tissue cryopreservation and oocyte cryopreservation. It can help both cancer and fertility specialists in attempts to preserve fertility in young female cancer patients in the future.

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Tao, T., Del Valle, A. Human oocyte and ovarian tissue cryopreservation and its application. J Assist Reprod Genet 25, 287–296 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10815-008-9236-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10815-008-9236-z

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