News | Ovarian Tissue Freezing Offers Hope of Extending Fertility
A new Yale University study suggests that ovarian tissue freezing may allow women to delay menopause or potentially avoid it entirely. The research may offer new options for extending the reproductive years and possible health benefits from delayed menopause in healthy women.
Dr. Kutluk Oktay, an ovarian biologist at Yale School of Medicine (YSM), first successfully transplanted frozen ovarian tissue in 1999 to preserve fertility in a cancer patient. Dr. Oktay and his team have now built a mathematical model to predict how ovarian tissue freezing could delay menopause in healthy women and examined potential health benefits.
Background and Findings
Using data from hundreds of ovarian tissue cryopreservation and transplantation procedures and molecular studies of ovarian follicle behavior, the researchers developed a new mathematical model. It suggests that freezing ovarian tissue at a younger age could delay menopause by decades or possibly prevent it. The model also shows how the optimal amount of tissue collected and follicle survival during postoperative healing affect the delay.
"For the first time in medical history, we may have a technology that can delay or eliminate menopause," Dr. Oktay said.
The model indicates that ovarian tissue freezing can substantially delay menopause in women under 40 and may prevent it in women under 30. Delaying menopause may also reduce risks of cardiovascular disease, dementia, depression, and bone loss.
Health Benefits and Further Research
Although the study suggests potential benefits, Dr. Hugh S. Taylor, chair of obstetrics, gynecology, and reproductive sciences at Yale, said further research is needed to determine long-term benefits and risks. Dr. Oktay's team is studying real-world outcomes in healthy women, with results to be published later.
News | Ovarian Tissue Freezing Offers Hope of Extending Fertility
News | Ovarian Tissue Freezing Offers Hope of Extending Fertility
A new Yale University study suggests that ovarian tissue freezing may allow women to delay menopause or potentially avoid it entirely. The research may offer new options for extending the reproductive years and possible health benefits from delayed menopause in healthy women.
Dr. Kutluk Oktay, an ovarian biologist at Yale School of Medicine (YSM), first successfully transplanted frozen ovarian tissue in 1999 to preserve fertility in a cancer patient. Dr. Oktay and his team have now built a mathematical model to predict how ovarian tissue freezing could delay menopause in healthy women and examined potential health benefits.
Background and Findings
Using data from hundreds of ovarian tissue cryopreservation and transplantation procedures and molecular studies of ovarian follicle behavior, the researchers developed a new mathematical model. It suggests that freezing ovarian tissue at a younger age could delay menopause by decades or possibly prevent it. The model also shows how the optimal amount of tissue collected and follicle survival during postoperative healing affect the delay.
"For the first time in medical history, we may have a technology that can delay or eliminate menopause," Dr. Oktay said.
The model indicates that ovarian tissue freezing can substantially delay menopause in women under 40 and may prevent it in women under 30. Delaying menopause may also reduce risks of cardiovascular disease, dementia, depression, and bone loss.
Health Benefits and Further Research
Although the study suggests potential benefits, Dr. Hugh S. Taylor, chair of obstetrics, gynecology, and reproductive sciences at Yale, said further research is needed to determine long-term benefits and risks. Dr. Oktay's team is studying real-world outcomes in healthy women, with results to be published later.
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