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Updated: Jun 21, 2025
Fertility Preservation in Patients with Severe Ovarian Dysfunction
Published on: March 25, 2021
Ovarian Tissue Cryopreservation for Fertility Preservation in Patients with Hemoglobin Disorders: A Comprehensive
Catherine Haering1, Kathryn Coyne2, Katherine Daunov3
1Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA.
Insights
Ovarian tissue cryopreservation (OTC) offers hope for women with sickle cell disease (SCD) and β-thalassemia (BT) facing infertility due to treatments. This fertility preservation method helps maintain reproductive potential for these patients.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive Medicine
- Hematology
- Oncology
Background:
- Sickle cell disease (SCD) and β-thalassemia (BT) significantly impact female fertility.
- Treatments for SCD and BT can cause gonadotoxicity, leading to infertility and early menopause.
- Existing fertility preservation methods may not be optimal for these patients.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the current applications and challenges of ovarian tissue cryopreservation (OTC) for women with hemoglobin disorders.
- To highlight the potential of OTC as a fertility preservation strategy in this population.
- To emphasize the importance of informed reproductive choices for patients with SCD and BT.
Main Methods:
- Comprehensive literature review on ovarian tissue cryopreservation in patients with hemoglobin disorders.
- Analysis of existing research on fertility challenges and treatment side effects.
- Evaluation of the benefits and limitations of OTC for this specific patient group.
Main Results:
- OTC offers a viable option for preserving fertility in women with SCD and BT.
- Challenges include unique health risks, financial barriers, and access to care.
- Further research is needed to optimize OTC protocols for these patients.
Conclusions:
- Ovarian tissue cryopreservation is a promising fertility preservation technique for women with hemoglobin disorders.
- Addressing barriers to access and health risks is crucial for successful implementation.
- Empowering patients with knowledge is key to informed reproductive decision-making.
Abstract:
Hemoglobin diseases like sickle cell disease (SCD) and β-thalassemia (BT) present fertility challenges for affected patients. SCD and BT result from abnormal hemoglobin production or structure and pose numerous health concerns. Despite medical advancements improving the quality of life or even providing cures, SCD and BT pose unique fertility concerns for women. Young women with these disorders already contend with reduced ovarian reserve and a narrower fertile window, a situation that is compounded by the gonadotoxic effects of treatments like medications, transfusions, stem cell transplants, and gene therapy. While crucial for disease control, these interventions may lead to reproductive health issues, increasing infertility and early menopause risks. Ovarian tissue cryopreservation (OTC) offers potential for future motherhood to women with hemoglobin disorders facing infertility related to curative treatments. OTC involves surgically removing, preparing, and freezing ovarian tissue containing primordial follicles capable of producing mature oocytes, offering advantages over oocyte cryopreservation alone. However, the application of OTC for patients with hemoglobin disorders presents unique challenges, including special health risks, financial barriers, and access to care. This comprehensive literature review delves into the current state of ovarian tissue cryopreservation for fertility preservation in patients with hemoglobin disorders. Empowering patients with informed reproductive choices in the context of their hemoglobin disorders stands as the ultimate goal.
