Fertility and reproductive disorders in female solid organ transplant recipients.
Solid organ transplantation can prolong the life of individuals with end-stage diseases that affect the kidney, liver, lung, heart, and pancreas. The improved survival of transplant recipients has led to increased attention on quality of life issues, including controlling fertility and having children. Perturbations of the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis in women with chronic renal failure or severe hepatic dysfunction result in anovulation and reduced fertility. Most often, fertility is restored with successful organ transplantation and good overall health. Although there are case reports of children born subsequent to assisted reproductive technologies (ART) in female transplant recipients, the approach to infertility in this population has not been described. Recognizing the unique medical, ethical, and psycho-social concerns involved in treating infertile female transplant recipients, reproductive endocrinologists must work with a multi-disciplinary team to ensure a successful pregnancy outcome without compromising graft function or maternal health. The primary goal of ART is a singleton pregnancy without complications, such as ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome, that pose greater risks in transplant recipients.
Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA. nd2058@columbia.edu
Nataki C
NC
Douglas
Monjri
M
Shah
Monrji
M
Shah
Mark V
MV
Sauer
D005260:Female; D005298:Fertility / Q000276:immunology / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D016030:Kidney Transplantation; D016031:Liver Transplantation; D016377:Organ Transplantation / Q000009:adverse effects; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D018566:Pregnancy, High-Risk; D011788:Quality of Life; D027724:Reproductive Techniques, Assisted; D013997:Time Factors; D014181:Transplantation Immunology