Future perspectives of fertility protection

Abstract

Reproductive health is of major importance for individuals, for the society and for the health of future generations. This includes physical and medical dimensions as well as psychosocial and ethical ones. Whenever the possibility of starting a family is compromised, either due to an oncological cytotoxic treatment or due to transgender hormone medication with the aim to align their secondary sexual characteristics or other medical or social conditions, one key aspect of reproductive health is fertility protection. However, as a very young field in medicine, there are still many research questions that need to be clarified to provide the best possible treatment for affected people. These include the optimization and safety of cryopreservation processes of germ cells in women, men, transgender people, adolescents and children. Another focus is on psychological care as well as ethical, economic and legal issues. The establishment and development of the center for fertility protection Ulm (FePro-Ulm) will focus on a detailed molecular biological and (epi)genetic understanding of the underlying processes in ovarian tissue, oocytes and sperm to improve and develop new diagnostic and therapeutic approaches. The individual needs of affected people, their partners and families will be evaluated by an interdisciplinary approach. The collaborations within FePro-Ulm will develop preventative and helpful interventions for affected people. In addition, a better awareness of this important topic of reproductive health and fertility protection will be addressed by including participation representatives and strengthen public relation works.

Keywords: Cryopreservation; Fertility preservation; Fertility protection; Oncological therapies; Reproductive health.