Cryopreservation of oocytes and embryos for fertility preservation for female cancer patients.
In vitro fertilization and embryo cryopreservation is regarded as the only established method for fertility preservation in female cancer patients. However, a possible delay in treatment of the primary disease due to ovarian stimulation, exposure to supraphysiologic estrogen levels induced by ovarian stimulation, the requirement for a male partner or willingness to use donor sperm for embryo production, legal, ethical, religious issues related to cryopreservation of embryos raise concerns for patients and physicians. Recent improvements achieved with oocyte vitrification have increased the effectiveness of oocyte cryopreservation rendering it a viable option, especially for patients without a male partner. In vitro maturation avoids treatment delay or exposure to increased estradiol levels associated with ovarian stimulation for in vitro fertilization. In vitro maturation combined with embryo or oocyte vitrification provides previously unavailable options for some patients and improves the services provided by a fertility preservation program.
Ata
Baris
B
McGill Reproductive Centre, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, McGill University, Royal Victoria Hospital, 687 Pine Avenue West, H3A 1A1, Montreal, Quebec, Canada. baris.ata@muhc.mcgill.ca <baris.ata@muhc.mcgill.ca>
Chian
Ri-Cheng
RC
Tan
Seang Lin
SL
D000328:Adult; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000628:therapy; D015925:Cryopreservation / Q000379:methods; D004624:Embryo Transfer; D005260:Female; D005298:Fertility; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro / Q000379:methods*; D005833:Genital Neoplasms, Female / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D007246:Infertility / Q000517:prevention & control*; D008297:Male; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000628:therapy*; D009865:Oocytes; D016896:Treatment Outcome