Human Oocyte Banking Clinical Applications and Limitations

Throughout the last two decades, signifi- t cant advances have been made in oocytecryopreservation and over 150 babieshave been born from fertilized frozenthawedoocytes. oocyte cryopreservation isanalogous to semen cryopreservation for men. itis potentially the best way to preserve femalefertility and offers important benefits to unmarriedwomen or young girls at risk of losing ovarianfunction as a result of surgery or cancer chemotherapy,women who work with toxins orteratogens, and women who are concerned aboutage-related infertility. many women today areinvolved with education or developing their careersand for majority of them, being marriedand having children may not be feasible untilthey are in their late 30s and early 40s. in all ofthese cases, oocyte cryopreservation may be anappropriate solution. on the other hand, cryopreservedoocytes of infertile couples that havecompleted their families could be an importantsource of oocyte donation to help other couples.in addition, oocyte cryopreservation presents anattractive alternative to embryo storage, which isoften fraught with religious, ethical, and legalcomplications. while oocyte cryopreservationsuccess has increased overtime, the pregnancyrates remain low and there is still concern about the safety of the procedure.