Cryopreservation of ovarian tissue for a decade in Denmark: a view of the technique

Abstract

This paper presents the Danish 10-year experience (1999-2009) with cryopreservation (n=386) and autotransplantation of ovarian tissue (n=18). Before applying the technique to humans, the method was thoroughly tested and validated. The cryoprotectant solution was chosen after histological evaluation of mouse and human ovarian tissue after freezing with four different combinations of cryoprotectants. Viability was confirmed by transplantation of frozen-thawed human ovarian tissue (n=49) to oophorectomized Nude mice. Viability after transport of fresh tissue 4-5h prior to freezing had previously been validated. Overnight transport of fresh ovarian tissue prior to cryopreservation was evaluated when human ovarian tissue was kept on ice for 20h and then cryopreserved. The thawed ovarian tissue was transplanted to an oophorectomized Nude mouse and histology confirmed viability. In Denmark 12 women have received a total of 18 autotransplantations of ovarian tissue. All women resumed ovarian function and three healthy babies were born to two women. In both women, the tissue was transported on ice for 4-5h prior to cryopreservation. Ovarian tissue cryopreservation is an important method for fertility preservation; however, before applying the method clinically, each laboratory should perform thorough validation of their technique.

A review of 15 years of ovarian tissue bank activities

“…Indeed, we report a series of 476 patients undergoing OTC for fertility preservation in our department, a number similar to that reported by Rosendahl et al [46]. Our two main indications are hematological malignancy (39.9 %, n=156) and breast cancer (21.7 %, n=85).…”

Efficacy of ovarian tissue cryopreservation in a major European center

“…Although various large centers for cryopreservation of ovarian tissue exist, [12,13,15,17,18,21,24] to the best of our knowledge, cohort studies in which the impact of currently used cryopreservation/ thawing protocols on both follicle and stromal cell survival in young cancer patients is measured have not been published before. Earlier studies considering the impact of slow freezing techniques other than evaluated here, generally focused on follicle viability only [27][28][29][30][31][32][33][34][35][36][37][38] and often described patient populations without an indication for fertility preservation (e.g.…”

“…Although the efficacy of cryopreservation of ovarian tissue may thus differ from one center to another, information regarding these differences is scarce. [10,11] This is remarkable given the fact that the use of cryopreservation of ovarian tissue has increased considerably in the past decade [5,[12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22] with tissue from at least 2,500 patients now being stored at a limited number of highly experienced centers [23].…”

Kezdeti tapasztalataink a petefészekszövet-fagyasztás bevezetésével

“…A petefészekszövet-fagyasztás egyre szélesebb körben kerül alkalmazásra daganatos betegek esetén a termé- kenység megőrzése céljából [10,13,17,18]. Fontosnak tartjuk ugyanakkor, hogy az új és folyamatos fejlesztés alatt álló módszerek rutin klinikai alkalmazásának bevezetése előtt azok hatékonyságát ellenőrizzük.…”