title: Autotransplantation of cryopreserved ovarian tissue in oncological patients: recovery of ovarian function.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To present preliminary results of autotransplantation of cryopreserved ovarian tissue performed at Sant'Orsola-Malpighi Hospital, Bologna, Italy.
  
  
  METHODS
  Orthotopic transplantation was performed in two women with colorectal and breast cancer, and heterotopic transplantation was performed in one Hodgkin's lymphoma woman. The presence of micrometastasis in the ovarian tissue was checked, and morphological features of ovarian tissue were evaluated before transplantation. Ovarian function was monitored by hormonal and ultrasound-color Doppler examination after transplantation.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In all three women, no micrometastasis was found; light and transmission electron microscopy showed well-preserved thawed ovarian tissue. Ovarian function recovery was observed 2-4 months after transplantation. Spontaneous menstrual cycles occurred in two women with normal follicular densities. No periods occurred in the woman with low follicular density at the time of tissue collection.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Ovarian tissue cryopreservation and transplantation is a promising approach for preserving ovarian function in women with cancer.
authors.affiliation: Gynaecology & Pathophysiology of Human Reproduction Unit, Sant'Orsola-Malpighi Hospital, via Massarenti 13, 40138 Bologna, DIMEC, University of Bologna, Italy.
authors.forename: Raffaella
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Fabbri
authors.forename: Gianandrea
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Pasquinelli
authors.forename: Valentina
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Magnani
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Macciocca
authors.forename: Rossella
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Vicenti
authors.forename: Isabella
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Parazza
authors.forename: Roberto
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Paradisi
authors.forename: Cesare
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Battaglia
authors.forename: Stefania
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Rossi
authors.forename: Stefano
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Venturoli
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy; D015925:Cryopreservation / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006689:Hodgkin Disease / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D010053:Ovary / Q000502:physiology / Q000637:transplantation*; D014182:Transplantation, Autologous; D014184:Transplantation, Homologous; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult