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Updated: Feb 15, 2026

Fertility Preservation Through Oocyte Vitrification: Clinical and Laboratory Perspectives
Published on: September 16, 2021
Fertility preservation in BRCA-mutated women: when and how?
Michaël Grynberg1,2,3, Jade Raad1, Marjorie Comtet4,5
1Department of Reproductive Medicine & Fertility Preservation, Hôpital Antoine Béclère, 157 rue de la Porte de Trivaux, 92140 Clamart, France.
Abstract:
BRCA 1 and 2 genes play a critical role in the safeguarding of DNA integrity. It is now well established that BRCA1 and BRCA2-mutated women are at increased risk of breast and ovarian cancers. However, several lines of evidence indicate that this genetic status may also be associated with ovarian dysfunction, in particular a reduced ovarian reserve. Considering the gonadal toxicity of cancer treatments and the recommendation of prophylactic bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy around 40 years, young BRCA mutation carriers are confronted with difficult family planning decisions. Recent development in fertility preservation offers new possibilities for these women, not only before a potential cancer treatment, but also in healthy carriers. If the pregnancy seems to be safe in this population, oocyte vitrification following ovarian stimulation might help BRCA-mutated patients to conceive after cancer treatment or to undergo prenatal genetic diagnosis in order to avoid the risk of transmitting the genetic abnormality to their offspring. The present article aims to extensively discuss the fertility issues related to BRCA gene mutations and the questions raised by the possibility of fertility in this population.
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