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Journal of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics
Published in: Journal of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics 12/2016

Open Access 01-12-2016 | Fertility Preservation

Clinically applied procedures for human ovarian tissue cryopreservation result in different levels of efficacy and efficiency

Authors: Lobke Bastings, Johan R. Westphal, Catharina C. M. Beerendonk, Ruud L. M. Bekkers, Petra L. M. Zusterzeel, Jan C. M. Hendriks, Didi D. M. Braat, Ronald Peek

Published in: Journal of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics | Issue 12/2016

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Abstract

Purpose

Different protocols are being used worldwide for the cryopreservation of human ovarian tissue for fertility preservation purposes. The efficiency and efficacy of the majority of these protocols has not been extensively evaluated, possibly resulting in sub-optimally cryopreserved ovarian tissue. To address the impact of this issue, we assessed the effects of two clinically successful human ovarian tissue slow-freezing cryopreservation procedures on the quality of the cryopreserved tissue.

Methods

To differentiate between cryopreservation (C) versus thawing (T) related effects, four combinations of these two (A and B) very different cryopreservation/thawing protocols (ACAT, ACBT, BCAT, BCBT) were studied. Before and after cryopreservation and thawing, the percentage of living and morphologically normal follicles, as well as the overall tissue viability, was assessed.

Results

Our experiments revealed that the choice of the cryopreservation protocol noticeably affected the overall tissue viability and percentage of living follicles, with a higher viability after protocol BC when compared to AC. No statistically significant differences in tissue viability were observed between the two thawing protocols, but thawing protocol BT required considerably more human effort and materials than thawing protocol AT. Tissue morphology was best retained using the BCAT combination.

Conclusion

Our results indicate that extensive and systematical evaluation of clinically used protocols is warranted.
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Metadata
Title
Clinically applied procedures for human ovarian tissue cryopreservation result in different levels of efficacy and efficiency
Authors
Lobke Bastings
Johan R. Westphal
Catharina C. M. Beerendonk
Ruud L. M. Bekkers
Petra L. M. Zusterzeel
Jan C. M. Hendriks
Didi D. M. Braat
Ronald Peek
Publication date
01-12-2016
Publisher
Springer US
Published in
Journal of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics / Issue 12/2016
Print ISSN: 1058-0468
Electronic ISSN: 1573-7330
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10815-016-0816-z

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Meeting Abstracts

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