Primary ovarian insufficiency and fertility preservation: review article

Introduction
Female fertility and the ovarian reserve decrease with age.

Material and methods
Review of literature about the primary ovarian insufficiency (POI) and methods of fertility preservation to define women at risk of POI and their fertility saving options.

Results
Women with a family history of POI, fragile X syndrome primary ovarian insufficiency mutation (FXPOI), autoimmune thyroiditis, Addison’s disease, exposure to toxins and viral infection are at high risk of POI. In-vitro-fertilization success improved after introduction of oocyte (or embryo) vitrification. Transplantation of the cryo-preserved ovarian tissue could be a fertility preservation option. Transplantation of the cryo-preserved ovarian tissue is an outpatient procedure, which restores hormonal function and fertility. After ovarian tissue transplantation women can conceive normally without medical assistance.

Conclusions
The use of donor oocytes is the only treatment for women at risk of POI. The in-vitro-fertilization outcome improved after introduction of oocyte (or embryo) vitrification. Transplantation of the cryo-preserved ovarian tissue is an outpatient procedure, which restores hormonal function and fertility.