experimental approaches for fertility preservation in prepubertal boys undergoing oncological therapy

An increasing number of prepubertal boys encountering infertility due to cancer treatment has prompted various 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 progressively advised in infertility centers. different strategies for 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. the combination of these strategies with assisted reproductive techniques (art) like intracytoplasmic sperm injection (icsi) and in vitro fertilization (ivf) has resulted in complete spermatogenesis resulting in offspring in several animal models. still, no achievement in producing mature spermatozoa from human prepubertal sscs has yet been reported. this review describes studies done by researchers making an effort on fertility restoration from itt containing sscs, considering each strategy’s limitations and specific concerns.