Vitrification: an effective new approach to oocyte banking and preserving fertility in cancer patients

Abstract

Oocyte cryo-banking by means of the Cryotop vitrification method represents a viable option for healthy women, producing excellent survival rates and a clinical outcome similar to that obtained with fresh oocytes. This approach could potentially be used in cancer patients who want to safeguard their fertility. Cancer patients could potentially benefit from this approach by storing their oocytes before the onset of the oncological therapy.

Oocyte cryopreservation in a patient with sickle cell disease prior to hematopoietic stem cell transplantation: first report

“…While embryo banking is currently considered the only standard (non-experimental) procedure, improved success with oocyte banking and ovarian tissue banking offer single females the possibility of having biological children with a future partner. Live birth rates after oocyte banking have been reported to range between 2% and 5% per oocyte banked, and over 1,000 births have been reported to date [14,[21][22][23]. Autologous transplantation of previously frozen and thawed ovarian cortical tissue has resulted in 13 live births to date [24], including a live birth in a patient with sickle cell disease treated with HCT [25].…”

Successful live birth from vitrified oocytes after 5 years of cryopreservation

“…Over the last decade, multiple clinics have reported IVF successes after transfer of embryos derived from frozen/ thawed oocytes [5,[14][15][16][17][18][19][20]. The authors have recently reported that oocytes from young fertile women retain their reproductive potential after 6 months of vitrification cryopreservation [20] and the pregnancy and implantation rates are comparable to that of frozen embryos.…”

“…The recent increased interest in vitrification has resulted in improved efficiency and pregnancy outcomes [2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13]. Being able to protect and prolong the reproductive capacity by way of oocyte cryopreservation potentially opens the door for many thousands of women who are at a risk of losing ovarian function from radiation, chemotherapy and surgery.Over the last decade, multiple clinics have reported IVF successes after transfer of embryos derived from frozen/ thawed oocytes [5,[14][15][16][17][18][19][20]. The authors have recently reported that oocytes from young fertile women retain their reproductive potential after 6 months of vitrification cryopreservation [20] and the pregnancy and implantation rates are comparable to that of frozen embryos.…”

Live birth after 6 years of oocyte vitrification in a survivor with breast cancer

“…Advances in reproductive techniques have provided many fertility preservation options [4]. However, initial trials on oocyte cryopreservation were limited by spindle misalignment and errors in the chromosomal arrangement due to ice formation inside the oocytes during the process [5].…”