Age-related fertility decline: is there a role for elective ovarian tissue cryopreservation?

doi:10.1093/humrep/deac144

Review

. 2022 Aug 25;37(9):1970-1979.

doi: 10.1093/humrep/deac144.

Age-related fertility decline: is there a role for elective ovarian tissue cryopreservation?

Lorraine S Kasaven^{1

2

3}, Srdjan Saso^{1

2}, Natalie Getreu⁴, Helen O'Neill⁵, Timothy Bracewell-Milnes⁶, Fevzi Shakir⁷, Joseph Yazbek¹, Meen-Yau Thum⁶, James Nicopoullos⁶, Jara Ben Nagi⁸, Paul Hardiman⁷, Cesar Diaz-Garcia^{9

10}, Benjamin P Jones^{1

2}

Affiliations

¹ West London Gynaecological Cancer Centre, Hammersmith Hospital, Imperial College NHS Trust, London, UK.
² Department of Surgery and Cancer, Imperial College London, London, UK.
³ Cutrale Perioperative and Ageing Group, Sir Michael Uren Hub, Imperial College London, London, UK.
⁴ Translational Ovarian Physiology and Pathophysiology, Institute for Women's Health, University College London, London, UK.
⁵ Genome Editing and Reproductive Genetics Group, Institute for Women's Health, University College London, London, UK.
⁶ Lister Fertility Clinic, The Lister Hospital, London, UK.
⁷ Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK.
⁸ Centre for Reproductive and Genetic Health, London, UK.
⁹ IVI London, IVIRMA Global, London, UK.
¹⁰ EGA Institute for Women's Health, University College London, London, UK.

PMID: 35734904
PMCID: PMC9433842
DOI: 10.1093/humrep/deac144

Review

Age-related fertility decline: is there a role for elective ovarian tissue cryopreservation?

Lorraine S Kasaven et al. Hum Reprod. 2022.

. 2022 Aug 25;37(9):1970-1979.

doi: 10.1093/humrep/deac144.

Authors

Affiliations

¹ West London Gynaecological Cancer Centre, Hammersmith Hospital, Imperial College NHS Trust, London, UK.
² Department of Surgery and Cancer, Imperial College London, London, UK.
³ Cutrale Perioperative and Ageing Group, Sir Michael Uren Hub, Imperial College London, London, UK.
⁴ Translational Ovarian Physiology and Pathophysiology, Institute for Women's Health, University College London, London, UK.
⁵ Genome Editing and Reproductive Genetics Group, Institute for Women's Health, University College London, London, UK.
⁶ Lister Fertility Clinic, The Lister Hospital, London, UK.
⁷ Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK.
⁸ Centre for Reproductive and Genetic Health, London, UK.
⁹ IVI London, IVIRMA Global, London, UK.
¹⁰ EGA Institute for Women's Health, University College London, London, UK.

PMID: 35734904
PMCID: PMC9433842
DOI: 10.1093/humrep/deac144

Abstract

Age-related fertility decline (ARFD) is a prevalent concern amongst western cultures due to the increasing age of first-time motherhood. Elective oocyte and embryo cryopreservation remain the most established methods of fertility preservation, providing women the opportunity of reproductive autonomy to preserve their fertility and extend their childbearing years to prevent involuntary childlessness. Whilst ovarian cortex cryopreservation has been used to preserve reproductive potential in women for medical reasons, such as in pre- or peripubertal girls undergoing gonadotoxic chemotherapy, it has not yet been considered in the context of ARFD. As artificial reproductive technology (ART) and surgical methods of fertility preservation continue to evolve, it is a judicious time to review current evidence and consider alternative options for women wishing to delay their fertility. This article critically appraises elective oocyte cryopreservation as an option for women who use it to mitigate the risk of ARFD and introduces the prospect of elective ovarian cortex cryopreservation as an alternative.

Keywords: age-related fertility decline; elective oocyte cryopreservation; fertility preservation; ovarian tissue cryopreservation; vitrification.

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References

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1. Barcroft JF, Galazis N, Jones BP, Getreu N, Bracewell-Milnes T, Grewal KJ, Sorbi F, Yazbek J, Lathouras K, Smith JR. et al. Fertility treatment and cancers—the eternal conundrum: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Hum Reprod 2021;36:1093–1107. - PubMed

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[1] Alborzi S, Motazedian S, Parsanezhad ME.. Chance of adhesion formation after laparoscopic salpingo-ovariolysis: is there a place for second-look laparoscopy? J Am Assoc Gynecol Laparosc 2003;10:172–176. - PubMed

[2] Alborzi S, Motazedian S, Parsanezhad ME.. Chance of adhesion formation after laparoscopic salpingo-ovariolysis: is there a place for second-look laparoscopy? J Am Assoc Gynecol Laparosc 2003;10:172–176. - PubMed

[3] Andersen CY. Success and challenges in fertility preservation after ovarian tissue grafting. Lancet 2015;385:1947–1948. - PubMed

[4] Andersen CY. Success and challenges in fertility preservation after ovarian tissue grafting. Lancet 2015;385:1947–1948. - PubMed

[5] Baldwin K. Motivations for social egg freezing. In: Egg Freezing, Fertility and Reproductive Choice (Emerald Studies in Reproduction, Culture and Society). Bingley: Emerald Publishing Limited, 2019, 69–85.

[6] Baldwin K. Motivations for social egg freezing. In: Egg Freezing, Fertility and Reproductive Choice (Emerald Studies in Reproduction, Culture and Society). Bingley: Emerald Publishing Limited, 2019, 69–85.

[7] Baldwin K, Culley L, Hudson N, Mitchell H.. Running out of time: exploring women’s motivations for social egg freezing. J Psychosom Obstet Gynaecol 2019;40:166–173. - PubMed

[8] Baldwin K, Culley L, Hudson N, Mitchell H.. Running out of time: exploring women’s motivations for social egg freezing. J Psychosom Obstet Gynaecol 2019;40:166–173. - PubMed

[9] Barcroft JF, Galazis N, Jones BP, Getreu N, Bracewell-Milnes T, Grewal KJ, Sorbi F, Yazbek J, Lathouras K, Smith JR. et al. Fertility treatment and cancers—the eternal conundrum: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Hum Reprod 2021;36:1093–1107. - PubMed

[10] Barcroft JF, Galazis N, Jones BP, Getreu N, Bracewell-Milnes T, Grewal KJ, Sorbi F, Yazbek J, Lathouras K, Smith JR. et al. Fertility treatment and cancers—the eternal conundrum: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Hum Reprod 2021;36:1093–1107. - PubMed

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Age-related fertility decline: is there a role for elective ovarian tissue cryopreservation?

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Age-related fertility decline: is there a role for elective ovarian tissue cryopreservation?

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Abstract

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