ESPE Abstracts

Fertility is dependent on the normal development of germ cells, which is controlled by hormones and paracrine factors produced by the somatic cells within the gonads. However, exposure to cancer treatment during childhood can cause damage to the gonads leading to infertility in adulthood [1]. This presentation will explore how various cancer treatments affect gonadal function based on clinical evidence in patients [2], experimental models involving animals and studies utilising human tissues [3]. Options for fertility preservation in children with cancer, including gonadal tissue cryopreservation, will also be described along with the latest information on utilising cryopreserved gonadal tissue to restore fertility in males and females. Finally, this presentation will describe some novel experimental approaches to fertility preservation in males that focus on protecting prepubertal gonads from the damaging effects of cancer treatment.

References: [1] Anderson RA and Mitchell RT et al. Thomas W Kelsey, Norah Spears, Evelyn E Telfer, W Hamish B Wallace. Cancer treatment and gonadal function: experimental and established strategies for fertility preservation in children and young adults. The Lancet Diabetes and Endocrinology 3(7):556-67. 2015 [2] Lim TE et al. Impacts of platinum-based chemotherapy on subsequent testicular function and fertility in childhood cancer. Human Reproduction Update. 26(6):874-885. 2020 [3] Tharmalingam MD et al. Cisplatin and carboplatin result in similar gonadotoxicity in immature human testis with implications for fertility preservation in childhood cancer. BMC Medicine. 18(1):374. 2020

Biography: Rod is Professor of Developmental Endocrinology at the MRC Centre for Reproductive Health at the University of Edinburgh. He is also a Consultant Paediatric Endocrinologist at The Royal Hospital for Children and Young People (RHCYP) in Edinburgh. His research interests are focused on the role of the germ-stem cell niche in prepubertal testis development and function. This includes research into the effects of exposure to environmental exposures and pharmaceuticals (including chemotherapy) on germ cell development and future fertility potential. Rod is clinical and research lead for fertility preservation in prepubertal boys with cancer. His work combines the clinical service for gonadal tissue cryopreservation with research aimed at developing clinical strategies to protect or restore fertility in patients receiving gonadotoxic therapies. Website: www.ed.ac.uk/centre-reproductive-health/dr-rod-mitchell E-mail: [email protected] Twitter: @RodTMitchell