Global trends and collaboration in ovarian tissue transplantation: a 20-year bibliometric analysis
Tong Wu1,2,3, Yuanqu Zhao1,2,3, Ying Chen1,2,3
1National Clinical Research Center for Obstetrical and Gynecological Diseases, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China.
Abstract:
Ovarian tissue transplantation is vital for preserving fertility in female cancer survivors. Since the first human ovarian tissue transplantation in 2000 and the first live birth in 2004, it has received much more attention. However, the research scale, core research teams, and publication quality have not been systematically documented. This lack of foundational data hinders researchers' ability to assess the maturity and prevailing trends within the domain, potentially leading to duplicated efforts and suboptimal resource allocation. Our study addresses this gap by analyzing ovarian tissue transplantation research from 2000 to 2023 to map academic performance and collaboration networks. Key findings reveal Belgium and the USA as leading contributors, with robust international collaboration driving progress. The Université Catholique Louvain emerged as the most productive institution, while Dolmans M.M. stood out as a pivotal researcher. Human Reproduction ranked as the top journal for disseminating OTT advancements. Research trends highlight sustained focus on 'tissue cryopreservation', 'activation', and 'live-birth' through 2023, with disease indications shifting from 'breast cancer' and 'chemotherapy' toward 'infertility', 'leukemia', and 'premature ovarian failure'. This study offers crucial insights and understanding for collaborative work among researchers in the field of ovarian tissue transplantation, as well as recommendations for pioneering authors and journal submissions.
Lay Summary:
Ovarian tissue transplantation is the sole fertility preservation method for prepubertal girls and adult female patients whose anticancer therapy cannot be delayed. Since the first successful human live birth via ovarian tissue transplantation in 2004, this medical procedure has witnessed exponential growth, with more than 200 newborns worldwide having been delivered. This study presents an exhaustive bibliometric analysis that delineates the knowledge structure, authors' contributions, and research trends concerning ovarian tissue transplantation during the 21st century. We reveal that Belgium and the USA are in leading positions in terms of publications, citations, and academic influence. Keywords highlight the developmental trends in research types, ongoing foci, and disease indications for ovarian tissue transplantation. It offers crucial insights and understanding for collaborative work among researchers in the field of ovarian tissue transplantation, as well as recommendations for pioneering authors and journal submissions.
Insights
Ovarian tissue transplantation (OTT) research has grown significantly since 2000. Belgium and the USA lead in publications, with key trends in cryopreservation, activation, and live births, shifting disease focus. This analysis maps the field for future collaboration.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive Medicine and Fertility Preservation
- Oncology and Cancer Survivorship
- Bibliometrics and Scientometrics
Background:
- Ovarian tissue transplantation (OTT) is a critical fertility preservation method, especially for prepubertal girls and women undergoing urgent cancer therapy.
- Since the first human live birth in 2004, OTT has seen substantial growth, yet a systematic analysis of research scale, key teams, and trends was lacking.
- This knowledge gap hinders assessment of the field's maturity, potentially leading to research duplication and inefficient resource allocation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To conduct a comprehensive bibliometric analysis of ovarian tissue transplantation research from 2000 to 2023.
- To map the academic performance, collaboration networks, and identify leading institutions and researchers in the field.
- To delineate evolving research trends, including cryopreservation, activation, live birth outcomes, and shifts in disease indications.
Main Methods:
- Bibliometric analysis of publications related to ovarian tissue transplantation between 2000 and 2023.
- Mapping of international collaboration networks and identification of key research institutions and influential authors.
- Analysis of publication trends, keyword evolution, and shifts in cited disease indications for OTT.
Main Results:
- Belgium and the USA are identified as leading countries in OTT research output and academic influence.
- The Université Catholique Louvain is the most productive institution, with Dolmans M.M. as a pivotal researcher.
- Sustained research focus on 'tissue cryopreservation', 'activation', and 'live-birth' outcomes, with a notable shift in disease indications towards 'infertility', 'leukemia', and 'premature ovarian failure'.
Conclusions:
- The study provides a foundational understanding of the ovarian tissue transplantation research landscape, highlighting key contributors and collaborative patterns.
- International collaboration is a significant driver of progress in fertility preservation through OTT.
- The findings offer valuable insights for researchers, institutions, and journals to guide future research directions and optimize resource allocation in OTT.
