Fertility preservation in boys: recent developments and new insights †

E Goossens; K Jahnukainen; RT Mitchell; AMM van Pelt; G Pennings; N Rives; J Poels; C Wyns; S Lane; KA Rodriguez-Wallberg; A Rives; H Valli-Pulaski; S Steimer; S Kliesch; Aude Braye; MM Andres; J Medrano; L Ramos; SG Kristensen; CY Andersen; R Bjarnason; KE Orwig; N Neuhaus; JB Stukenborg

doi:10.1093/hropen/hoaa016

Fertility preservation in boys: recent developments and new insights †

E Goossens, K Jahnukainen, RT Mitchell, AMM van Pelt, G Pennings, N Rives, J Poels, C Wyns, S Lane, KA Rodriguez-Wallberg, A Rives, H Valli-Pulaski, S Steimer, S Kliesch, Aude Braye, MM Andres, J Medrano, L Ramos, SG Kristensen, CY AndersenR Bjarnason, KE Orwig, N Neuhaus, JB Stukenborg

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Infertility is an important side effect of treatments used for cancer and other non-malignant conditions in males. This may be due to the loss of spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs) and/or altered functionality of testicular somatic cells (e.g. Sertoli cells, Leydig cells). Whereas sperm cryopreservation is the first-line procedure to preserve fertility in post-pubertal males, this option does not exist for prepubertal boys. For patients unable to produce sperm and at high risk of losing their fertility, testicular tissue freezing is now proposed as an alternative experimental option to safeguard their fertility.

OBJECTIVE AND RATIONALE: With this review, we aim to provide an update on clinical practices and experimental methods, as well as to describe patient management inclusion strategies used to preserve and restore the fertility of prepubertal boys at high risk of fertility loss.

SEARCH METHODS: Based on the expertise of the participating centres and a literature search of the progress in clinical practices, patient management strategies and experimental methods used to preserve and restore the fertility of prepubertal boys at high risk of fertility loss were identified. In addition, a survey was conducted amongst European and North American centres/networks that have published papers on their testicular tissue banking activity.

OUTCOMES: Since the first publication on murine SSC transplantation in 1994, remarkable progress has been made towards clinical application: cryopreservation protocols for testicular tissue have been developed in animal models and are now offered to patients in clinics as a still experimental procedure. Transplantation methods have been adapted for human testis, and the efficiency and safety of the technique are being evaluated in mouse and primate models. However, important practical, medical and ethical issues must be resolved before fertility restoration can be applied in the clinic.Since the previous survey conducted in 2012, the implementation of testicular tissue cryopreservation as a means to preserve the fertility of prepubertal boys has increased. Data have been collected from 24 co-ordinating centres worldwide, which are actively offering testis tissue cryobanking to safeguard the future fertility of boys. More than 1033 young patients (age range 3 months to 18 years) have already undergone testicular tissue retrieval and storage for fertility preservation.

LIMITATIONS REASONS FOR CAUTION: The review does not include the data of all reproductive centres worldwide. Other centres might be offering testicular tissue cryopreservation. Therefore, the numbers might be not representative for the entire field in reproductive medicine and biology worldwide. The key ethical issue regarding fertility preservation in prepubertal boys remains the experimental nature of the intervention.

WIDER IMPLICATIONS: The revised procedures can be implemented by the multi-disciplinary teams offering and/or developing treatment strategies to preserve the fertility of prepubertal boys who have a high risk of fertility loss.

STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTERESTS: The work was funded by ESHRE. None of the authors has a conflict of interest.

Original language	English
Article number	hoaa016
Journal	Human reproduction open
Volume	2020
Issue number	3
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1093/hropen/hoaa016
Publication status	Published - 1 Mar 2020

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https://doi.org/10.1093/hropen/hoaa016

1 Participation in workshop, seminar

International IVI initiative
Ellen Goossens (Chair)
30 Mar 2021
Activity: Participating in or organising an event › Participation in workshop, seminar

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Goossens, E ; Jahnukainen, K ; Mitchell, RT ; Pelt, AMM van ; Pennings, G ; Rives, N ; Poels, J ; Wyns, C ; Lane, S ; Rodriguez-Wallberg, KA ; Rives, A ; Valli-Pulaski, H ; Steimer, S ; Kliesch, S ; Braye, Aude ; Andres, MM ; Medrano, J ; Ramos, L ; Kristensen, SG ; Andersen, CY ; Bjarnason, R ; Orwig, KE ; Neuhaus, N ; Stukenborg, JB. / Fertility preservation in boys: recent developments and new insights †. In: Human reproduction open. 2020 ; Vol. 2020, No. 3.

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title = "Fertility preservation in boys: recent developments and new insights †",

abstract = "BACKGROUND: Infertility is an important side effect of treatments used for cancer and other non-malignant conditions in males. This may be due to the loss of spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs) and/or altered functionality of testicular somatic cells (e.g. Sertoli cells, Leydig cells). Whereas sperm cryopreservation is the first-line procedure to preserve fertility in post-pubertal males, this option does not exist for prepubertal boys. For patients unable to produce sperm and at high risk of losing their fertility, testicular tissue freezing is now proposed as an alternative experimental option to safeguard their fertility.OBJECTIVE AND RATIONALE: With this review, we aim to provide an update on clinical practices and experimental methods, as well as to describe patient management inclusion strategies used to preserve and restore the fertility of prepubertal boys at high risk of fertility loss.SEARCH METHODS: Based on the expertise of the participating centres and a literature search of the progress in clinical practices, patient management strategies and experimental methods used to preserve and restore the fertility of prepubertal boys at high risk of fertility loss were identified. In addition, a survey was conducted amongst European and North American centres/networks that have published papers on their testicular tissue banking activity.OUTCOMES: Since the first publication on murine SSC transplantation in 1994, remarkable progress has been made towards clinical application: cryopreservation protocols for testicular tissue have been developed in animal models and are now offered to patients in clinics as a still experimental procedure. Transplantation methods have been adapted for human testis, and the efficiency and safety of the technique are being evaluated in mouse and primate models. However, important practical, medical and ethical issues must be resolved before fertility restoration can be applied in the clinic.Since the previous survey conducted in 2012, the implementation of testicular tissue cryopreservation as a means to preserve the fertility of prepubertal boys has increased. Data have been collected from 24 co-ordinating centres worldwide, which are actively offering testis tissue cryobanking to safeguard the future fertility of boys. More than 1033 young patients (age range 3 months to 18 years) have already undergone testicular tissue retrieval and storage for fertility preservation.LIMITATIONS REASONS FOR CAUTION: The review does not include the data of all reproductive centres worldwide. Other centres might be offering testicular tissue cryopreservation. Therefore, the numbers might be not representative for the entire field in reproductive medicine and biology worldwide. The key ethical issue regarding fertility preservation in prepubertal boys remains the experimental nature of the intervention.WIDER IMPLICATIONS: The revised procedures can be implemented by the multi-disciplinary teams offering and/or developing treatment strategies to preserve the fertility of prepubertal boys who have a high risk of fertility loss.STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTERESTS: The work was funded by ESHRE. None of the authors has a conflict of interest.",

author = "E Goossens and K Jahnukainen and RT Mitchell and Pelt, {AMM van} and G Pennings and N Rives and J Poels and C Wyns and S Lane and KA Rodriguez-Wallberg and A Rives and H Valli-Pulaski and S Steimer and S Kliesch and Aude Braye and MM Andres and J Medrano and L Ramos and SG Kristensen and CY Andersen and R Bjarnason and KE Orwig and N Neuhaus and JB Stukenborg",

note = "{\circledC} The Author(s) 2020. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology.",

year = "2020",

month = "3",

day = "1",

doi = "10.1093/hropen/hoaa016",

language = "English",

volume = "2020",

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Goossens, E, Jahnukainen, K, Mitchell, RT, Pelt, AMMV, Pennings, G, Rives, N, Poels, J, Wyns, C, Lane, S, Rodriguez-Wallberg, KA, Rives, A, Valli-Pulaski, H, Steimer, S, Kliesch, S, Braye, A, Andres, MM, Medrano, J, Ramos, L, Kristensen, SG, Andersen, CY, Bjarnason, R, Orwig, KE, Neuhaus, N & Stukenborg, JB 2020, 'Fertility preservation in boys: recent developments and new insights †', Human reproduction open, vol. 2020, no. 3, hoaa016. https://doi.org/10.1093/hropen/hoaa016

Fertility preservation in boys: recent developments and new insights †. / Goossens, E; Jahnukainen, K; Mitchell, RT; Pelt, AMM van; Pennings, G; Rives, N; Poels, J; Wyns, C; Lane, S; Rodriguez-Wallberg, KA; Rives, A; Valli-Pulaski, H; Steimer, S; Kliesch, S; Braye, Aude; Andres, MM; Medrano, J; Ramos, L; Kristensen, SG; Andersen, CY; Bjarnason, R; Orwig, KE; Neuhaus, N; Stukenborg, JB.

In: Human reproduction open, Vol. 2020, No. 3, hoaa016, 01.03.2020.

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article

TY - JOUR

T1 - Fertility preservation in boys: recent developments and new insights †

AU - Goossens, E

AU - Jahnukainen, K

AU - Mitchell, RT

AU - Pelt, AMM van

AU - Pennings, G

AU - Rives, N

AU - Poels, J

AU - Wyns, C

AU - Lane, S

AU - Rodriguez-Wallberg, KA

AU - Rives, A

AU - Valli-Pulaski, H

AU - Steimer, S

AU - Kliesch, S

AU - Braye, Aude

AU - Andres, MM

AU - Medrano, J

AU - Ramos, L

AU - Kristensen, SG

AU - Andersen, CY

AU - Bjarnason, R

AU - Orwig, KE

AU - Neuhaus, N

AU - Stukenborg, JB

N1 - © The Author(s) 2020. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology.

PY - 2020/3/1

Y1 - 2020/3/1

N2 - BACKGROUND: Infertility is an important side effect of treatments used for cancer and other non-malignant conditions in males. This may be due to the loss of spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs) and/or altered functionality of testicular somatic cells (e.g. Sertoli cells, Leydig cells). Whereas sperm cryopreservation is the first-line procedure to preserve fertility in post-pubertal males, this option does not exist for prepubertal boys. For patients unable to produce sperm and at high risk of losing their fertility, testicular tissue freezing is now proposed as an alternative experimental option to safeguard their fertility.OBJECTIVE AND RATIONALE: With this review, we aim to provide an update on clinical practices and experimental methods, as well as to describe patient management inclusion strategies used to preserve and restore the fertility of prepubertal boys at high risk of fertility loss.SEARCH METHODS: Based on the expertise of the participating centres and a literature search of the progress in clinical practices, patient management strategies and experimental methods used to preserve and restore the fertility of prepubertal boys at high risk of fertility loss were identified. In addition, a survey was conducted amongst European and North American centres/networks that have published papers on their testicular tissue banking activity.OUTCOMES: Since the first publication on murine SSC transplantation in 1994, remarkable progress has been made towards clinical application: cryopreservation protocols for testicular tissue have been developed in animal models and are now offered to patients in clinics as a still experimental procedure. Transplantation methods have been adapted for human testis, and the efficiency and safety of the technique are being evaluated in mouse and primate models. However, important practical, medical and ethical issues must be resolved before fertility restoration can be applied in the clinic.Since the previous survey conducted in 2012, the implementation of testicular tissue cryopreservation as a means to preserve the fertility of prepubertal boys has increased. Data have been collected from 24 co-ordinating centres worldwide, which are actively offering testis tissue cryobanking to safeguard the future fertility of boys. More than 1033 young patients (age range 3 months to 18 years) have already undergone testicular tissue retrieval and storage for fertility preservation.LIMITATIONS REASONS FOR CAUTION: The review does not include the data of all reproductive centres worldwide. Other centres might be offering testicular tissue cryopreservation. Therefore, the numbers might be not representative for the entire field in reproductive medicine and biology worldwide. The key ethical issue regarding fertility preservation in prepubertal boys remains the experimental nature of the intervention.WIDER IMPLICATIONS: The revised procedures can be implemented by the multi-disciplinary teams offering and/or developing treatment strategies to preserve the fertility of prepubertal boys who have a high risk of fertility loss.STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTERESTS: The work was funded by ESHRE. None of the authors has a conflict of interest.

AB - BACKGROUND: Infertility is an important side effect of treatments used for cancer and other non-malignant conditions in males. This may be due to the loss of spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs) and/or altered functionality of testicular somatic cells (e.g. Sertoli cells, Leydig cells). Whereas sperm cryopreservation is the first-line procedure to preserve fertility in post-pubertal males, this option does not exist for prepubertal boys. For patients unable to produce sperm and at high risk of losing their fertility, testicular tissue freezing is now proposed as an alternative experimental option to safeguard their fertility.OBJECTIVE AND RATIONALE: With this review, we aim to provide an update on clinical practices and experimental methods, as well as to describe patient management inclusion strategies used to preserve and restore the fertility of prepubertal boys at high risk of fertility loss.SEARCH METHODS: Based on the expertise of the participating centres and a literature search of the progress in clinical practices, patient management strategies and experimental methods used to preserve and restore the fertility of prepubertal boys at high risk of fertility loss were identified. In addition, a survey was conducted amongst European and North American centres/networks that have published papers on their testicular tissue banking activity.OUTCOMES: Since the first publication on murine SSC transplantation in 1994, remarkable progress has been made towards clinical application: cryopreservation protocols for testicular tissue have been developed in animal models and are now offered to patients in clinics as a still experimental procedure. Transplantation methods have been adapted for human testis, and the efficiency and safety of the technique are being evaluated in mouse and primate models. However, important practical, medical and ethical issues must be resolved before fertility restoration can be applied in the clinic.Since the previous survey conducted in 2012, the implementation of testicular tissue cryopreservation as a means to preserve the fertility of prepubertal boys has increased. Data have been collected from 24 co-ordinating centres worldwide, which are actively offering testis tissue cryobanking to safeguard the future fertility of boys. More than 1033 young patients (age range 3 months to 18 years) have already undergone testicular tissue retrieval and storage for fertility preservation.LIMITATIONS REASONS FOR CAUTION: The review does not include the data of all reproductive centres worldwide. Other centres might be offering testicular tissue cryopreservation. Therefore, the numbers might be not representative for the entire field in reproductive medicine and biology worldwide. The key ethical issue regarding fertility preservation in prepubertal boys remains the experimental nature of the intervention.WIDER IMPLICATIONS: The revised procedures can be implemented by the multi-disciplinary teams offering and/or developing treatment strategies to preserve the fertility of prepubertal boys who have a high risk of fertility loss.STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTERESTS: The work was funded by ESHRE. None of the authors has a conflict of interest.

UR - https://doi.org/10.1093/hropen/hoaa016

U2 - 10.1093/hropen/hoaa016

DO - 10.1093/hropen/hoaa016

M3 - Article

C2 - 32529047

VL - 2020

JO - Human reproduction open

JF - Human reproduction open

SN - 2399-3529

IS - 3

M1 - hoaa016

ER -

Fertility preservation in boys: recent developments and new insights †

Abstract

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International IVI initiative

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