Background The high effectiveness of vitrification, as a cryopreservation protocol, for human oocytes and embryos is shown, whereas data on human ovarian tissue are limited. This study aimed to assessment of follicular growth, ultrastructure, and apoptosis incidence in human ovarian tissue following vitrification/warming and after culture in the presence of LIF. MaterialsAndMethods Ovarian cort...

BACKGROUND The aim of this study was to assess the immediate post-thawing injury to the human ovary that was cryopreserved either as a whole with its vascular pedicle or as ovarian cortical strips. MATERIALS AND METHODS Bilateral oophorectomy was performed in two women (46 and 44 years old) undergoing vaginal hysterectomy and laparoscopic hysterectomy, respectively. Both women agreed to donat...

The spontaneous return of fertility after bone marrow transplantation or heterotopic grafting of cryopreserved ovarian cortical tissue has surprised many, and a possible link with stem cells has been proposed. We have reviewed the available literature on ovarian stem cells in adult mammalian ovaries and presented a model that proposes that the ovary harbors two distinct populations of stem cell...

BACKGROUND Oocyte in vitro maturation (IVM) and cryopreservation at the time of routine ovarian tissue freezing may be offered to cancer patients as an additional option for fertility preservation. This study aimed to investigate the developmental capacity of oocytes isolated from unstimulated ovaries. METHODS Immature oocytes (n = 63) from seven consenting premenopausal patients were analyse...

Various new developments in clinical and basic science which may impact on IVF in the near or distant future will be discussed in this review. These key areas include the regulation of early follicle development and the extended in-vitro culture of oocytes and embryos. Moreover, alternative compounds and ovarian stimulation protocols will be discussed, along with highlights in the development o...

As cancer treatment improves, more young men and women survive, but they suffer from infertility as a major sequel of cancer treatment. Gamete and embryo cryopreservation are the only options available to these patients for preserving their fertility. Although cryopreservation of spermatozoa and embryos are already established, oocyte banking is still experimental. The advent of testicular tiss...

Background Follicle cryopreservation has been proposed as an alternative fertility preservation option. Follicles can be cryopreserved in intact ovarian tissue pieces or after isolation of individual follicles from the fresh ovarian tissue using enzymatic or mechanical techniques. Researchers have used different cryoprotectants and various techniques to improve cryopreservation. It is plausible...

Children and women of reproductive age are increasingly surviving cancer diagnoses, and therefore long-term quality-of-life issues are of greater importance at the time of diagnosis. Cancer therapies including radiation and chemotherapy can be detrimental to fertility, and therefore many patients are motivated to preserve fertility prior to cancer treatment. The only highly successful method in...

In the present review, the main strategies of female fertility preservation are covered. Procedures of fertility preservation are necessary for women who suffer from diseases whose treatment requires the use of aggressive therapies, such as chemotherapy and radiotherapy. These kinds of therapy negatively influence the health of gametes and their progenitors. The most commonly used method of fem...