User:Jadecarlyle/sandbox

Ethics

Due to the nature of the Cryopreservation of testicular tissue, ethical concerns must be eliminated before this technique can be used clinically. The experimental intervention in prepubertal boys lies a central concern with fertility preservation. Since children are involved a thorough consideration into the risks vs the benefits must be looked at. However, the lack of proven data on the efficacy of the technique forces us to question if it is reasonable to consider fertility preservation surgery on a prepubertal child? Another dilemma presented is that children cannot always give their informed consent. Additionally, structural and social ethical issues must be considered, such as the financial costs and accessibility of the procedure.

Future applications

Spermatogonia stem cell (SSC) transplantation, in vitro spermatogenesis and testicular tissue grafting are three methods in development for the fertility restoration of cryopreserved testicular tissue. Firstly, SSC transplantation, the only technique to allow natural conception to happen involves isolating testicular cells from the cryopreserved tissue in an attempt to grow the SSC number These SSCs are then transplanting into the testis where they will carry out spermatogenesis, producing sperm continuously. Testicular tissue grafting, an alternative approach involves grafting fragments of testicular tissue to homotypic or ectopic locations. Lastly, in vitro spermatogenesis is an approach which could be used in patients with malignant haematological diseases but needs more research into the experimental conditions.