Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 12, 2026
12:03
Fertility Preservation in Patients with Severe Ovarian Dysfunction
Published on: March 25, 2021
5.0K
Female fertility preservation: past, present and future.
Benjamin Fisch1,2,3, Ronit Abir4,2,3
1IVF and Infertility UnitBeilinson Women's Hospital, Rabin Medical Center, Petach Tikvah, Israel.
Reproduction (Cambridge, England)
|March 28, 2018
Summary
Fertility preservation for cancer patients has advanced with ovarian tissue and oocyte cryopreservation. These techniques offer hope for restoring fertility after anti-cancer treatments, with ongoing research improving outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive Medicine and Oncology
- Oncofertility
Background:
- Chemotherapy and radiation damage ovarian follicles, leading to premature ovarian failure.
- Traditional fertility preservation for cancer survivors primarily involved embryo cryopreservation.
- Limited pharmacological options like gonadotrophin-releasing hormone agonists exist, with controversial efficacy.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review advancements in fertility preservation for women undergoing cancer therapy.
- To highlight the evolution and current status of ovarian tissue and oocyte cryopreservation.
- To discuss emerging strategies for ovarian protection and future directions in oncofertility.
Main Methods:
- Ovarian tissue cryopreservation of primordial follicles before anti-cancer therapy.
- Development of assisted reproductive technologies: mature oocyte cryopreservation and in vitro oocyte maturation.
- Modification of ovarian stimulation protocols for oocyte/embryo retrieval.
- Ongoing research into novel methods for enhancing follicular survival and ovarian protection agents.
Main Results:
- Over 130 live births reported following ovarian tissue transplantation since 2004.
- Ovarian tissue cryopreservation can be combined with in vitro maturation and oocyte vitrification.
- Cryopreserved oocytes mitigate the risk of cancer recurrence from ovarian grafts.
Conclusions:
- Ovarian tissue and oocyte cryopreservation are established fertility preservation methods for cancer patients.
- Future developments, including artificial ovaries and improved in vitro culture systems, aim to overcome current limitations.
- Continued research is crucial for enhancing safety and efficacy in oncofertility.
Related Concept Videos
01:38Fertilization
91.8K
During fertilization, an egg and sperm cell fuse to create a new diploid structure. In humans, the process occurs once the egg has been released from the ovary, and travels into the fallopian tubes. The process requires several key steps: 1) sperm present in the genital tract must locate the egg; 2) once there, sperm need to release enzymes to help them burrow through the protective zona pellucida of the egg; and 3) the membranes of a single sperm cell and egg must fuse, with the sperm...
91.8K
01:24In Vitro Fertilization
1.0K
In vitro fertilization (IVF) is a form of assisted reproductive technology where an egg is fertilized with sperm in a controlled laboratory environment before transferring the resulting embryo into the uterus. This process is designed to help individuals and couples experiencing difficulties conceiving.
The IVF process begins with ovarian stimulation, during which reproductive endocrinologists prescribe hormonal medications to stimulate the ovaries to produce multiple eggs instead of the single...
The IVF process begins with ovarian stimulation, during which reproductive endocrinologists prescribe hormonal medications to stimulate the ovaries to produce multiple eggs instead of the single...
1.0K
01:28Infertility in Females
4.9K
Female infertility is defined as the inability to conceive after a year of regular, unprotected intercourse and affects about 10–15% of couples worldwide. The primary cause of female infertility is ovulatory disorders, which hinder the release of eggs. These disorders can be classified as hypothalamic amenorrhea, polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), premature ovarian failure, and hyperprolactinemic anovulation disorders.
Endometriosis, a condition characterized by abnormal growth of...
Endometriosis, a condition characterized by abnormal growth of...
4.9K
01:15External Female Genitals
35.6K
The vulva encompasses the external structures of the female reproductive system. At the forefront is the monpubis, a cushion of fatty tissue atop the pubic bone. Once puberty sets in, this area typically grows hair. Extending from just behind the mons pubis are the labia majora (labia = 'lips'; majora = 'larger'), which are larger skin fs olds coated with hair. Nestled within are the labia minora (labia = 'lips'; minora = 'smaller'), which are thinner, more...
35.6K
01:24Disorders of the Female Reproductive System
4.5K
The female reproductive system can be affected by several disorders, including Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS), Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD), endometriosis, and various forms of cancer. PMS and PMDD are cyclical conditions that cause physical and emotional distress, with symptoms that include edema, mood swings, and food cravings. PMDD is a more severe form of PMS characterized by increased symptom severity that peaks during the luteal phase and tends to improve or resolve shortly after...
4.5K
02:39The Angiosperm Life Cycle
73.0K
Plants have a life cycle split between two multicellular stages: a haploid stage—with cells containing one set of chromosomes—and a diploid stage—with cells containing two sets of chromosomes. The haploid stage is the gamete-producing gametophyte, and the diploid stage is the spore-producing sporophyte.
73.0K