Experimental Approaches for Fertility Preservation in Prepubertal Boys Undergoing Oncological Therapy

Abstract

Abstract An increasing number of prepubertal boys encountering infertility due to cancer treatment has prompted a range of studies to set up new methods for fertility restoration and male germ cell maturation. In this regard, cryopreservation of immature testicular tissue (ITT) from biopsy samples is being progressively advised in infertility centers. Different strategies to in vivo or in vitro male germ cell development using stored testicular tissues have been followed: autotransplantation or Xenotransplantation of testicular tissue pieces, spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs) isolation, and transplantation, in vitro spermatogenesis using three-dimensional (3D) culture and tissue culture. Combination of these strategies with assisted reproductive techniques (ART) like intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) and in vitro fertilization (IVF) has resulted from complete spermatogenesis resulting in offspring in several animal models but no achievement in producing mature spermatozoa from human prepubertal SSCs has yet been reported. This review describes studies done by researchers making effort on fertility restoration from ITT containing SSCs, Considering the limitations and specific concerns of each strategy.

Keywords

• fertility preservation
• transplantation
• cancer
• germ cell maturation