Ovarian tissue cryopreservation followed by controlled ovarian stimulation and pick-up of mature oocytes does not impair the number or quality of retrieved oocytes.

Marie-Madeleine Dolmans,Jacques Donnez,Maria-Laura Marotta,Olivier Donnez,Céline Pirard

doi:10.1186/s13048-014-0080-8

Abstract

BackgroundThe objective of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of fertility preservation in cancer patients by combined bilateral ovarian cortex cryopreservation and embryo freezing.MethodsThis was a cohort-controlled study in a university hospital center. Sixteen patients with a recent cancer diagnosis were included in the study. They all consented to fertility preservation by a combined technique: ovarian tissue cryopreservation (OTC) followed by ovarian stimulation for in vitro fertilization (IVF) and embryo freezing. The control group included 100 women of the same age undergoing IVF for male factor infertility.ResultsThe mean number of metaphase II oocytes was 8.3 per patient (±7.7) and was not statistically different from the control group (8.1 ± 5.6). The mean number of good quality embryos obtained was not statistically different in the 2 groups (4.2 versus 4.4).ConclusionOTC before embryo freezing does not impair the number or quality of cryopreserved embryos, but increases fertility preservation potential.

Highlights

In recent decades, improvements in cancer survival rates in children and young adults have stimulated interest in fertility preservation (FP) techniques
To maximize the chances of FP, we propose a combined technique: 1) ovarian tissue cryopreservation (OTC) and 2) in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatment to cryopreserve embryos
The aim of this study was to evaluate if bilateral biopsy and OTC followed by controlled ovarian stimulation (COS) is a feasible method to preserve fertility without any negative impact on the number of oocytes

Summary

Introduction

Improvements in cancer survival rates in children and young adults have stimulated interest in fertility preservation (FP) techniques. Therapies which greatly increase life expectancy accelerate oocyte depletion, leading to early menopause [1]. This risk of premature ovarian failure depends on the age of the patient at the time of gonadotoxic treatment and the type of chemo- and/or radiotherapy protocol (dose and number of cycles) applied [1,2,3]. Studies by Rienzi et al and Cobo et al show that around 20 oocytes are required to achieve a live birth [4,5] This number can be obtained in egg donation programs or in case of FP for social reasons, but rarely in women with cancer. The objective of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of fertility preservation in cancer patients by combined bilateral ovarian cortex cryopreservation and embryo freezing

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Results

Discussion

Conclusion