Indications for ovarian tissue cryopreservation

Background: The first attempts at ovarian tissue cryopreservation (OTCP) we re performed in the 1950s. Recent research efforts have demonstrated the po ssibility of obtaining pregnancy with this technique in three animal specie s and have shown good primordial human follicle survival up through the fre ezing process. Potential indications: OTCP is a procedure designed to protect ovarian tiss ue from threats to its follicular reserves The first threat is the time-rel ated massive physiological destruction of the follicular reserve ending wit h menopause. OTCP would enable this wastage to be arrested, thereby prolong ing ovarian cycling beyond limits Conditions producing premature menopause, when known in advance, may also potentially benefit from OTCP. The iatroge nic destruction of the follicular reserve by radiation therapy or alkylatin g agents is another situation where OTCP would enable the patient's fertili ty to be preserved. Among these clinical settings, iatrogenic destruction o f follicular stocks appears to us, with the current stare of research, to b e an acceptable indication for OTCP.