title: Efficacy of ovarian tissue cryopreservation in a major European center.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the effect of cryopreservation and thawing of ovarian tissue from oncological patients opting for fertility preservation on ovarian tissue viability.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this prospective cohort study, the ovarian tissue viability before and after cryopreservation and thawing was measured for 25 newly diagnosed oncological patients who had their ovarian tissue cryopreserved. Outcome measures were follicle integrity (histology), follicle viability (Calcein viability assay), steroid hormone production (estradiol and progesterone production in vitro) and overall tissue viability (glucose uptake in vitro). This study was conducted at a Cryobank for storage of ovarian tissue in a university hospital.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Cryopreserved/thawed ovarian tissue showed a decreased glucose uptake when compared to tissue that had not been cryopreserved. In addition, a diminished E2 and P4 production was observed after cryopreservation and thawing, despite the fact that numbers of viable follicles as determined by the Calcein viability assay were comparable. Histological examination revealed a higher percentage of degenerated follicles after cryopreservation and thawing.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Ovarian tissue cryopreservation and thawing impairs the viability of ovarian tissue in oncological patients opting for fertility preservation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology (791), Radboud university medical center, PO Box 9101, 6500 HB, Nijmegen, The Netherlands, Lobke.Bastings@radboudumc.nl.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Bastings
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Liebenthron
authors.forename: J R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Westphal
authors.forename: C C M
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Beerendonk
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: van der Ven
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Meinecke
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Montag
authors.forename: D D M
authors.initials: DD
authors.lastname: Braat
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Peek
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D015925:Cryopreservation; D003451:Cryoprotective Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D005060:Europe; D005260:Female; D059247:Fertility Preservation; D006801:Humans; D009865:Oocytes / Q000166:cytology* / Q000187:drug effects; D006080:Ovarian Follicle / Q000166:cytology* / Q000187:drug effects; D010053:Ovary / Q000166:cytology* / Q000187:drug effects; D011446:Prospective Studies; D014021:Tissue Preservation; D014022:Tissue Survival; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D003451:Cryoprotective Agents