Ovarian Tissue Transportation Research Articles

Evaluation of oxygen consumption in human vitrified and warmed pre-antral follicles after prolonged low temperatures.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of transportation at prolonged low temperatures on the survival of pre-antral follicles. Ovarian tissue was removed from six women with gender identity disorder. Tissues were stored in an icebox at 4 °C for 6 or 18 h prior to vitrification. After warming, ovarian tissues were cultured for 24 h and follicle survival was assessed via a viability/cytotoxicity kit. Morphological features and oxygen consumption rate (OCR) were evaluated by scanning electrochemical microscopy (SECM). Survival rate of isolated primordial follicles was 95.7 and 100 %, and that of primary follicles was 91.7 and 81.8 % in the 6- and 18-h groups respectively. There was no difference in morphology between the 6- and 18-h storage groups. In comparison with OCR of vitrified-warmed follicles and OCR of 24-h culture after vitrified-warmed follicles, OCR of 24-h culture after vitrified-warmed primordial follicles was significantly higher in both 6-hour (0.02 ± 0.02 vs 0.07 ± 0.04, P < 0.05) and 18-h groups (0.02 ± 0.02 vs 0.11 ± 0.10, P < 0.05). This strongly suggests that prolonged transportation of ovarian tissue at low temperatures is useful when there are no available local systems for fertility preservation.

Live birth after ovarian tissue autotransplantation following overnight transportation before cryopreservation

To describe the first live birth after transplantation of ovarian tissue following overnight transportation of the tissue before freezing. Technical note. University department of obstetrics and gynecology. A 25-year-old cancer survivor with previous Hodgkin disease and relapse. The ovarian tissue was kept cool for >20 hours in a special transport medium and a special cooling device before it was cryopreserved. After premature ovarian failure due to preconditioning chemotherapy for bone marrow transplantation, the cryopreserved ovarian tissue was transplanted orthotopically. Resumption of ovarian function after transplantation, recovery of fertility, and pregnancy. Ovarian function returned in the patient 3 months after transplantation, as shown by follicle development and estrogen production. During the fifth menstrual cycle, mild stimulation with FSH was initiated in accordance with a low-dose protocol. When ultrasonography revealed a follicle 18-20 mm in size in the ovarian graft, hCG was added and the patient had sexual intercourse at the optimal time point. On day 14 of the luteal phase, hCG concentration and vaginal echography confirmed a viable intrauterine pregnancy, which resulted in a healthy live birth. Overnight transportation of ovarian tissue appears to be possible in combination with appropriate transportation logistics. However, further investigations are needed before this procedure can be offered as a chance for women to preserve fertility independently of direct access to a tissue-processing bank.