Principles and Practice of Ovarian Tissue Cryopreservation and Transplantation

Kutluk Oktay, MD, PhD is a leading, global expert in fertility preservation and a renowned ovarian biologist. Dr. Oktay developed and performed the world’s first ovarian transplants and pioneered innovative ovarian stimulation protocols for cancer patients. He discovered the role of BRCA function and DNA repair in ovarian and oocyte aging. He has been continuously funded by the National Institute of Health and other sources over the past 15 years and has received numerous national and international awards from professional societies and patient organizations for his contributions. He has published over 200 manuscripts and book chapters and is the co-chair of American Society for Clinical Oncology Fertility Preservation Guidelines Committee.

1. Scientific History of Ovarian Transplantation with Cryopreserved Tissue 2. Animal Models of Ovarian Transplantation 3. Overall Approach to Fertility Preservation and Indications for Ovarian Tissue Harvesting and Cryopreservation 4. Regulatory Aspects of Ovarian Tissue Cryopreservation and Transplantation: How to Set Up a Program in Your Center 5. Ovarian Reserve and Early Follicle Development: Prerequisite Knowledge for Understanding Ovarian Tissue Harvesting for Cryopreservation 6. The Methods and Techniques of Ovarian Tissue Harvesting and Preparation before Cryopreservation 7. Oocyte Retrieval and In Vitro Maturation from the Harvested Tissue Before Cryopreservation 8. A Primer on Cryobiology and Cryoprotectants for Ovarian Tissue Freezing 9. Methods of Ovarian Tissue Cryopreservation: Slow Freezing 10. Methods of Ovarian Tissue Cryopreservation: Vitrification 11. Pre-op Evaluation and Preparation for Ovarian Tissue Transplant Surgery 12. Assessment of the Risk of Cancer Cell Reintroduction Prior to Ovarian Tissue Auto-transplantation 13. Ovarian Cryopreservation for Transplantation with Prepubertal and Adolescent girls 14. Surgical Approach to Orthotopic Ovarian Tissue Transplantation 15. Surgical Approach to Laparoscopic and Robot-Assisted Ovarian Tissue Transplantation 16. Surgical Approach to Heterotopic Ovarian Tissue Transplantation Techniques 17. Postovarian Transplantation Follow Up 18. Oocyte Retrieval and IVF Approaches in Patients with Transplanted Ovarian Tissue 19. Ovarian Tissue Cryopreservation for Delaying Childbearing and Menopause 20. In Vitro Growth and Maturation of Primordial Follicle Oocytes from Cryopreserved Tissue 21. Psychosocial and ethical aspects of ovarian tissue cryopreservation in children and adults 22. Future Aspects of Ovarian Cryopreservation and Transplantation 23. Appendix 1. Links to Instructional Videos 24. Appendix 2. Materials, Equipment and Protocols for Ovarian Tissue Cryopreservation and Thawing 25. Appendix 3. Materials, Equipment and Operating Room Set-Up for Ovarian Tissue Transplantation