The Fertility Preservation Program in Pittsburgh (https://fertilitypreservationpittsburgh.org/), a member of the Oncofertility Consortium, is enrolling patients for ovarian tissue transplantation. This IRB-approved experimental protocol is open to:
- Women between the ages of 18-45 years;
- Who have previously cryopreserved and stored cortical ovarian tissue that is available for autologous transplantation (transplantation back into their own body);
- Who have ovarian insufficiency;
- Who are candidates for pregnancy;
- Who have written clearance for the procedure from the physician treating the primary condition (e.g., cancer, bone marrow transplantation, etc) that created the need for ovarian tissue cryopreservation.
The first live births after ovarian tissue transplantation were reported by Donnez and colleagues in 2004 (Belgium) and Meirow and colleagues in 2005 (Israel). The technique has led to over 130 documented births worldwide through natural pregnancy or assisted reproduction but is offered at only a few centers in the United States. The Center for Reproduction and Transplantation at Magee-Womens Hospital of the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center is pleased to offer ovarian tissue transplantation services. Transplants will be performed by Dr. Ted Lee, the Director of Minimally Invasive Gynecologic Surgery at Magee-Womens Hospital. The program will cover the costs of surgery and transplantation.
For additional information or to enroll in the study, please contact our program coordinators by phone (412-641-7475) or email (fertilitypreservation@upmc.edu).