[Fertility preservation in women of the childbearing age: Indications and strategies]

Abstract

Advances on cryopreservation techniques now allow considering oocyte, embryo or ovarian tissue freezing for female fertility preservation. Originally developed for patients suffering from cancer, fertility preservation has rapidly invaded others medical fields, and represents now the standard of care for all young patient diagnosed with a disease that could impair fertility or having to receive possibly gonadotoxic treatment. As a result, autoimmune diseases, some genetic pathologies or iterative pelvic surgeries, at risk of premature ovarian failure, have become common indications of fertility preservation. In addition, the social egg freezing aiming at preventing the age-related fertility decline is still debated in France, although authorized in numerous countries. This review will discuss the different strategies of fertility preservation in young girls and women of reproductive age, regarding different medical or non-medical indications.

Keywords: Cancer; Cryopréservation de tissu ovarien; Fertility preservation; In vitro maturation; Maturation in vitro; Oocyte vitrification; Ovarian tissue cryopreservation; Préservation de la fertilité; Vitrification ovocytaire.