Human Oocyte Banking; Clinical Applications and Limitations

Throughout the last two decades, significant advances have been made in oocyte cryopreservation and over 150 babies have been born from fertilized frozenthawed oocytes. Oocyte cryopreservation is analogous to semen cryopreservation for men. It is potentially the best way to preserve female fertility and offers important benefits to unmarried women or young girls at risk of losing ovarian function as a result of surgery or cancer chemotherapy, women who work with toxins or teratogens, and women who are concerned about age-related infertility. Many women today are involved with education or developing their careers and for majority of them, being married and having children may not be feasible until they are in their late 30s and early 40s. In all of these cases, oocyte cryopreservation may be an appropriate solution. On the other hand, cryopreserved oocytes of infertile couples that have completed their families could be an important source of oocyte donation to help other couples. In addition, oocyte cryopreservation presents an attractive alternative to embryo storge, which is often fraught with religious, ethical, and legal complications. While oocyte cryopreservation success has increased overtime, the pregnancy rates remain low and there is still concern about the safety of the procedure.