title: Ovarian function after removal of an entire ovary for cryopreservation of pieces of cortex prior to gonadotoxic treatment: a follow-up study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Ovarian function was studied in Danish patients who had ovarian tissue cryopreserved, and the patients' experiences with the procedure were investigated.
  
  
  METHODS
  There were 92 women who had an entire ovary removed for cryopreservation 18-75 months earlier. Reasons included: breast cancer (n = 31; 34%), Hodgkin's lymphoma (n = 23; 25%), bone marrow transplantation (BMT) (n = 19; 21%) and others (n = 19; 21%). Patients completed a questionnaire, and transvaginal ultrasonic antral follicle count and serum analysis for follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) were performed in 73 women.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In total, 11% of the BMT patients had normal ovarian function. Hodgkin's patients who only received ABVD (doxorubicin, bleomycin, vinblastine and dacarbazine) (n = 12) and 60% of the breast cancer patients showed little evidence of ovarian damage. Regular menstruation was shown to be a good indicator of ovarian function. The cryopreservation procedure rarely complicated cancer treatment (5%) and 84% felt comforted because they had potentially secured their fertility.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Cryopreservation of ovarian tissue should be considered in young female patients with Hodgkin's lymphoma receiving more aggressive treatment than ABVD and in patients scheduled for BMT. The recommendation for breast cancer patient should be individualized. The cryopreservation process did not delay cancer treatment.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Reproductive Biology, Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshospitalet, Denmark. mikkel.rosendahl@rh.regionh.dk
authors.forename: Mikkel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rosendahl
authors.forename: Claus Yding
authors.initials: CY
authors.lastname: Andersen
authors.forename: Erik
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Ernst
authors.forename: Lars G
authors.initials: LG
authors.lastname: Westergaard
authors.forename: Per Emil
authors.initials: PE
authors.lastname: Rasmussen
authors.forename: Anne
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Loft
authors.forename: Anders Nyboe
authors.initials: AN
authors.lastname: Andersen
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D054304:Anti-Mullerian Hormone / Q000378:metabolism; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001761:Bleomycin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015925:Cryopreservation / Q000379:methods*; D003606:Dacarbazine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004317:Doxorubicin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000378:metabolism; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006062:Gonadotropins / Q000378:metabolism*; D006689:Hodgkin Disease / Q000188:drug therapy; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D010053:Ovary / Q000502:physiology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014463:Ultrasonography / Q000379:methods; D014747:Vinblastine / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D006062:Gonadotropins; D001761:Bleomycin; D014747:Vinblastine; D003606:Dacarbazine; D004317:Doxorubicin; D054304:Anti-Mullerian Hormone; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone