A Novel Technique to Preserve Endocrine Function and Restore Fertility
New York, NY (October 2001) — Researchers at the Institute for Reproductive Medicine of Weill Cornell Medical College have perfected a novel technique to preserve ovarian function in women undergoing sterilizing cancer therapy or surgery. Published in the September 26 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), the research involves 2 patients who received autologous (self-donated) ovarian tissue transplantation to the forearm prior to pelvic radiotherapy (for cervical cancer) or after removal of the ovaries (due to recurrent benign ovarian cysts). Menopause was confirmed immediately after the transplant, and the ovarian grafts have remained functional in both patients. Spontaneous ovulation and menstruation occurred in one patient, and egg retrieval was successfully performed in the other.
The relatively simple technique demonstrates a solution to premature ovarian failure due to the adverse effects of chemotherapy and radiation. Moreover, as the authors state, "with optimization of ovarian stimulation and percutaneous egg retrieval techniques, the procedure may also restore fertility when used in conjunction with in vitro fertilization." The technique could potentially help thousands of women.
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