Preservation of female fertility: The current therapeutic strategy

Preservation of female fertility is a fairly new domain in medicine that has grown very rapidly in recent years. Initially, embryo freezing stayed the most effective technique. Later, cryopreservation of oocytes and ovarian tissue was regarded as a secure tool in human fertility preservation. Storage of cortical ovarian tissue is moreover suitable for children, prepubertal girls, and adult patients who cannot benefit from cryopreservation of oocytes.

A recent study analyzes and reviews the current and relevant scientific literature on medical and social reasons for the preservation of fertility, by conducting a review based on articles identified from PubMed databases.

The observations from the study are as follows-

• Oocyte vitrification permits women to preserve their fertility without the need for fertilization. 
• Nowadays, thousands of healthy children are born from this procedure.
• The occurrence of pregnancy relies on two major elements: the number of mature oocytes in storage and the age of the patient at the time of vitrification. 
• Innumerous adaptations have been formed to suit the ovarian stimulation regimens for patients with cancer. 
• In young prepubertal girls, freezing of ovarian tissue stays the best and only option.

Thus this study believes Oocyte vitrification to be the gold standard technique for preserving fertility in young women.

Source: Henry L, Labied S, Jouan C, Nisolle M. Preservation of female fertility: The current therapeutic strategy. International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology. 2022;156(1): 3-9. https://doi.org/10.1002/ijgo.13698