Task Force Fertility Preservation in Severe Diseases

The ESHRE-Task Force “Fertility preservation in severe diseases” was established in Brussels in April 2007.

The Task Force’s initial objectives will focus on fertiltity preservation in cancer and any other severe diseases in which fertility preserving techniques should be offered to men and women. The most frequently used techniques in men are cryopreservation of sperm and testicular tissue and in women cryopreservation and transplantation of ovarian tissue, ovarian stimulation and cryopreservation of unfertilized and fertilized oocytes, GnRH-analogues as well as surgical procedures to maintain fertility. The Task Force not only focuses on evaluation and optimisation of these techniques, it also addresses ethical, psychological and genetic issues.

Due to the variety of issues covered, the Task Force involves altogether 20 specialists from all areas of reproductive medicine, reproductive biology and psychology and integrates the Special Interest Groups “Andrology”, “Reproductive Surgery”, “Psychology and Couselling”, Ethics and Law” and “Embryology”.

The Task Force is coordinated by Michael von Wolff, Heidelberg, Germany as the co-ordinator and by a steering committee comprising Heribert Kentenich, Germany, representing ESHRE, and four clinical specialists representing the Task Force’s four main fields of interest, Claus Ying Andersen, Denmark, Bruno Salle, France, Andrea Borini, Italy, and Zeev Blumenfeld, Israel.

The main activities within the next year are the publication of review articles on different topics of fertility preservation and the organisation of a Campus workshop scheduled in autumn 2008 in Heidelberg, Germany.

Task Force Coordinator:

Dr. Helen M. Picton
United Kingdom
E-mail: h.m.picton@leeds.ac.uk
 

Past-coordinator:

Dr. Michael von Wolff
Switzerland
E-mail: michael.vonwolff@insel.ch