Cryopreservation - LIVEIT
Egg Cryopreservation: the Technique that Beats the Biological Clock of Female Fertility
evolUTION OF
cryopreservation
In recent years, more and more women are becoming mothers at an older age, either by choice or for medical reasons. Less than a century ago, fertility preservation, also known as genetic preservation, was considered simply science fiction. A lot has changed in recent years in the field of science and modern technologies have approached the modern lifestyle with the result that fertility preservation is now part of modern medicine. This term includes all interventions and medical procedures through which the selective preservation of genetic material is achieved. The preservation of cells and tissues, where genetic materials are located, at very low temperatures, is called cryopreservation. Cryopreservation helps us preserve fertility, in cases of chronic diseases, toxic treatments or people who wish to delay childbearing.
indications of
fertility preservation
Between 2007 and 2017, cancer death rates fell by an overall 15% in the US. Extending the life expectancy of patients who survive cancer treatment makes it vital to preserve fertility, since the reproductive capacity of patients is at risk of being reduced both by the disease itself and by the possible toxic effect of chemotherapy or radiotherapy. These therapies destroy cancer cells, but can also have a particularly toxic effect on the cells found in the ovaries and testicles. If surgery is required for the removal of the reproductive organs, this may make it challenging to conceive in the future.
Fertility preservation should also always be offered to patients who are at risk of becoming infertile due to other chronic medical conditions - including autoimmune diseases such as lupus erythematosus, as well as genetic syndromes such as Turner’s and Fragile X syndrome.
There are also non-medical reasons that are an indication for cryopreservation of genetic material. Women who postpone childbearing for social or professional reasons can now plan pregnancy according to their needs. As age increases, both the number and quality of eggs decline. Fertility has a particularly declining course after the age of 37; after the age of 40 the chances of natural conception are almost negligible.
fertility preservation
options
Today, there are many fertility preservation treatment options for women and men. These include:
Egg cryopreservation: patients undergo ovarian stimulation to develop multiple eggs which are cryopreserved.
Embryo cryopreservation: the eggs obtained after ovarian stimulation are fertilized and thus embryos are created and cryopreserved.
Cryopreservation of ovarian tissue: Some patients need to be treated immediately for cancer so there is no time for ovarian stimulation and egg retrieval. In these cases, the only option is cryopreservation of the ovarian tissue. Once the cancer treatment is complete the tissue can be thawed and re-implanted in the patient's body.
Sperm cryopreservation: Men can choose to cryopreserve a sperm sample. In some cases, sperm may be taken directly from the testicle with a biopsy.
Patients should discuss fertility preservation with their doctor if the risk of infertility is high, or if they wish to proceed with fertility preservation for non-medical reasons. The method of preserving fertility will depend on the medical indication and the treatment used to treat the disease, the general condition and the age of the patients. Fertility treatments require time and planning, and coordination with other medical specialties is often necessary.
In conclusion, patients with chronic diseases and genetic syndromes or even people who wish to delay the acquisition of offspring can benefit from the preservation of their genetic material, through the cryopreservation of eggs, embryos sperm, ovarian and testicular tissue. Anyone considering fertility preservation treatment should be evaluated by a specialist in Reproductive Medicine and Fertility, who will provide more information about the risks and benefits of this treatment and the options available for future use of the genetic material. At Fertility Athens, we simplify this process for you - book your non-obligatory discovery call to find out if we can help.
Original article in Greek here.
