A detailed
understanding of the
cryobiology of
gametes and complex
tissues has led to the development of
methods that facilitate the successful low
temperature banking of isolated mature
human oocytes, or immature
oocytes in situ within fragments of
human ovarian cortex. Although many outstanding
research challenges remain to be addressed, the successful development of new
treatments to preserve
female fertility for a range of clinical indications has largely been underpinned by the conduct of extensive, fundamental
research on
oocytes and ovarian
tissues from a number of
laboratory and commercially important
farm species. Indeed, the most recent evidence from large
animals suggests that it is also possible to cryopreserve intact whole
ovaries along with their supporting vasculature for later
autotransplantation and restoration of
natural fertility. This
review will explore how the
methods developed to preserve
human oocytes and ovarian
tissues can now be used strategically to support the development of conservation
strategies aimed at safeguarding the
genetic diversity of commercially important
domestic animals and also of preserving the
female germplasm for
wild animals and
endangered species.(AU)