From Preservation to Creation: The Expanding Frontier of Fertility Preservation - Proceedings of the 2nd Montreux Reproductive Summit, 29-30 August 2025 - PubMed
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- #fertility-preservation
- #reproductive-medicine
- Fertility preservation (FP) has evolved from oncology to encompass a broad range of medical, social, and technological contexts.
- Surgical innovations like fertility-sparing surgery and ovarian transposition help preserve reproductive potential without compromising cancer treatment.
- Cryobiology advancements, particularly vitrification, have made oocyte and embryo cryopreservation gold-standard methods with outcomes similar to fresh cycles.
- Social freezing has emerged as a tool for reproductive autonomy but raises ethical and counselling challenges regarding age, expectations, and access.
- Psychosocial support, including mindfulness and structured counselling, improves mental health for patients undergoing FP, even if conception outcomes remain unchanged.
- Ovarian tissue cryopreservation and immature testicular tissue banking offer options for patients unable to undergo stimulation, with early clinical successes.
- Uterus transplantation is now a first-line treatment for congenital absence of a uterus and can restore fertility post-hysterectomy for cervical cancer.
- Future regenerative approaches include stem-cell-based strategies, 3D bio-printing, tissue engineering, and artificial uterus systems, requiring further research and ethical frameworks.
- FP is a multidisciplinary field integrating oncology, reproductive medicine, gynaecology, transplantation surgery, psychology, and laboratory disciplines.
- The field's trajectory is shaped by technological innovation and the need to align progress with patient autonomy, equity, and long-term quality of life.