Ovarian tissue grafting: Lessons learnt from our experience with 55 grafts

Reprod Med Biol. 2021 May 12;20(3):277-288. doi: 10.1002/rmb2.12380. eCollection 2021 Jul.

Abstract

Purpose: Uncertainties remain regarding the clinical efficacy of ovarian tissue cryopreservation and grafting. We report a retrospective analysis of reproductive outcomes and lessons learnt following 55 ovarian tissue transplant procedures at our center from 2006 to 2019.

Methods: We analyzed variables related to graft success such as tissue volume, follicular density, total follicular volume, and age on the duration of graft function.

Results: Follicular density and total follicular volume correlate positively with duration of graft function. All clinical pregnancies in our cohort occurred in women who were aged 35 or less at the time of ovarian tissue cryopreservation.

Conclusion: Graft success, as determined by eventual pregnancy and the longevity of graft function, may be impacted by factors including age at cryopreservation, follicular density, and total follicular volume.

Keywords: assisted reproductive technology; cryopreservation of germ cells; endocrinology; fertility of female; oncology.