Ovarian Tissue Freezing

Ovarian tissue cryobanking (storing immature follicular oocytes) has been recognized as a potentially valuable strategy to preserve fertility for children and young women with cancer. After numerous attempts by many investigators since the 1950s, storing ovarian tissue in liquid nitrogen has become a practical technique for fertility preservation. Nevertheless, there are still uncertainties about the optimal use of stored ovarian tissue when it is required.

Theoretically, there are three strategies for restoring fertility using frozen-thawed ovarian tissue: autotransplantation, xenotransplantation and in vitro maturation. The recent news of a live birth after autotransplantation of cryobanked ovarian tissue is very encouraging for both patients and medical professionals. Nevertheless, it will require further research before routine clinical applications.