CD9 Expression by Human Granulosa Cells and Platelets as a Predictor of Fertilization Success during IVF

Objective. To determine whether CD9 expression on human granulosa cells (GCs) and platelets could predict the success of conventional fertilization of human oocytes during in vitro fertilization (IVF). Methods. Thirty women undergoing IVF for nonmale factor infertility participated. Platelets from venous blood and GCs separated from retrieved oocytes were prepared for immunofluorescence. Flow cytometry quantified the percent of GCs expressing CD9, and CD9 surface density on GCs and platelets. Fertilization rate was determined for the total number of oocytes, and the number of mature oocytes per patient. Correlations tested for significant relationships (P < .05) between fertilization rates and CD9 expression. Results. CD9 surface density on human GCs is inversely correlated with fertilization rate of oocytes (P = .04), but the relationship was weak. Conclusion. More studies are needed to determine if CD9 expression on GCs would be useful for predicting conventional fertilization success during IVF

A View from the Past Into our Collective Future: The Oncofertility Consortium Vision Statement

Today, male and female adult and pediatric cancer patients, individuals transitioning between gender identities, and other individuals facing health extending but fertility limiting treatments can look forward to a fertile future. This is, in part, due to the work of members associated with the Oncofertility Consortium. The Oncofertility Consortium is an international, interdisciplinary initiative originally designed to explore the urgent unmet need associated with the reproductive future of cancer survivors. As the strategies for fertility management were invented, developed or applied, the individuals for who the program offered hope, similarly expanded. As a community of practice, Consortium participants share information in an open and rapid manner to addresses the complex health care and quality-of-life issues of cancer, transgender and other patients. To ensure that the organization remains contemporary to the needs of the community, the field designed a fully inclusive mechanism for strategic planning and here present the findings of this process. This interprofessional network of medical specialists, scientists, and scholars in the law, medical ethics, religious studies and other disciplines associated with human interventions, explore the relationships between health, disease, survivorship, treatment, gender and reproductive longevity. The goals are to continually integrate the best science in the service of the needs of patients and build a community of care that is ready for the challenges of the field in the future

Preimplantation Genetic Screening: A Practical Guide

The past several decades have seen tremendous advances in the field of medical genetics. The application of genetic technologies to the field of reproductive medicine has ushered in a new era of medicine that is likely to greatly expand in the coming years. Concurrent with an in vitro fertilization (IVF) cycle, it is now possible to obtain a cellular biopsy from a developing embryo and genetically evaluate this sample with increasing sophistication and detail. Preimplantation genetic screening (PGS) is the practice of determining the presence of aneuploidy (either too many or too few chromosomes) in a developing embryo. However, how and in whom PGS should be offered is a topic of much debate

Fertility-related services in pediatric oncology across the cancer continuum: a clinic overview

Purpose: Fertility-related services in pediatric oncology are increasing, but barriers to care remain and few structured programs are described in the literature. Therefore, the study objectives were (1) to characterize fertility-related services in a large pediatric oncology center and (2) to discuss recommendations for fertility-related services across the pediatric cancer continuum. Methods: Medical records of all cases referred to our Fertility Preservation Clinic within a 3-year period were reviewed, which included 292 patients/survivors with malignant disease. Approximately half (n = 152/292, 52.1%) were cancer patients referred prior to treatment (n = 92/152) or while on active therapy (n = 60/152). The other half (n = 140/292; 47.9%) were survivors who had completed treatment. Results: Referrals more than doubled over 3 years. Most patients referred before treatment were offered and opted for FP (72.8% attempted; 58.9% completed). More male than female patients opted for FP (77.6% vs. 22.4%), but completion rates were higher among females (93.3% vs. 76.9%). Rates of FP before treatment did not increase over time (p =.752). Many patients on-treatment were referred for infertility risk counseling, demonstrating information/support needs in this group. Referred survivors questioned their fertility post-treatment and completed fertility assessments, indicating intact fertility among few (~ 15%). Conclusions: This review demonstrated the acceptance and increasing need for fertility-related services in pediatric oncology across the cancer continuum, including FP before treatment, counseling during treatment, and fertility assessment in survivorship. Based on our experiences, current recommendations are discussed and include standardized procedures, streamlined referrals, adequate communication/education (of providers and families), and meeting specific needs of young cancer patients/survivors