Ovarian tissue cryopreservation and transplantation prevents iatrogenic premature ovarian insufficiency: first 10 cases in China

Abstract

Objective The aim of this study was to report on the first 10 cases of ovarian tissue cryopreservation (OTC) and retransplantation (OTCT) in China. Methods A retrospective descriptive study was performed of 10 Chinese women with different diseases undergoing OTC/OTCT in the first specialized center in China. Patients’ ovarian function and fertility were followed up. Results The 10 cases included five cases of cervical cancer and one case each of endometrial cancer, breast cancer, rectal cancer, myelodysplastic syndrome, and aplastic anemia, respectively. The average age at OTC was 33.70 years; the time from OTC to OTCT was 15 months. The average number of transplanted ovarian tissue pieces was 4.9, with 9.5 pieces remaining cryopreserved. The OTCT position for nine cases was in a right-sided peritoneal pocket of ovarian fossa, and for one patient was in bilateral pockets. The average time from OTCT to restoration of ovarian function was 3.4 months. One year after OTCT, all ovaries were still functioning normally. In the first case, the function now remains preserved for more than 3 years. So far, the woman who wishes to conceive has no pregnancy. Conclusion Regarding ovarian function, OTC and OTCT were successful and reliable in China’s first cryobank. We expect to perform more retransplantations in the near future, which will add to the global data.