The Practice Committee of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine and the Practice Committee of the Society for Assisted Reproductive Technology

Abstract

There are relatively few effective clinical options for preserving female fertility, particularly following aggressive chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy treatment protocols. This document reviews the scientific background, current technology, clinical results and potential future applications of two methods for preserving female fertility—ovarian tissue cryopreservation and oocyte cryopreservation. These technologies are investigational, although rapidly evolving, and their list of appropriate indications may be expanded in the future.