Gonadal Tissue Freezing for Fertility Preservation in Individuals at Risk for Ovarian Dysfunction, Premature Ovarian Insufficiency and Clinically Indicated Gonadectomy
Background: Turner Syndrome, galactosemia, and premature ovarian insufficiency are all conditions that may make it very hard or impossible for a person to become pregnant and have their own child. Researchers want to learn more about why this happens and if freezing Gonadal tissue allows for fertility preservation.
Objective: To find out why people with certain conditions have can have premature ovarian insufficiency (POI or early menopause) and individuals with variations in sex characteristics have trouble getting pregnant and if freezing the gonads tissue from them will help to have their own child in the future.
Eligibility: Individuals aged 2-21 who have Turner Syndrome or galactosemia. Also, females aged 13-21 with premature ovarian insufficiency, individuals with variations in sex characteristics, and individuals 2-35 receiving high-risk gonadotoxic therapy
Design: Participants will be screened with a medical history. Participants may have a physical exam and blood tests. Their body measurements may be taken. These include weight, height, arm span, skin fold, and sitting height. They may fill out surveys about their quality of life, body image, and health. Participants may have a transabdominal pelvic ultrasound. A probe will be placed on their belly and will take pictures of the organs in the pelvis. They may have a transvaginal pelvic ultrasound performed while asleep in the operating room if needed. Participants may have surgery to remove an gonads and skin biopsy. The removed tissue will be frozen and stored. The tissue will have to be stored for many years. NIH will pay to store the tissue for 1 year. After that, participants will have to pay for storage. A piece of the gonads (no more than 20%) will be used for research Travel, lodging and meals for participants traveling greater than 50 miles will be reimbursed based off the government rate. Local participants will not be reimbursed. Participants will have a checkup 6 weeks after surgery one or more follow-up visits 6-18 months after surgery. They may have phone follow-up every 12-24 months after surgery. Participation will last 30 years.
‣ In order to be eligible to participate in this study, an individual must meet all of the following criteria:
• Individuals with Turner Syndrome prior to menarche aged 2 years to 12 years whose families seek to store ovarian tissue for possible future use.
‣ Or
‣ Individuals with galactosemia (age 2-21)
‣ Or
‣ Adolescent females up to age 21 years old, who have undergone menarche and are subsequently diagnosed with premature ovarian insufficiency and their last menstrual period occurred within 2 years of presentation. Diagnosis of POI is based on 2 elevated FSH concentrations obtained over 1 month apart.
‣ Or
‣ Children or adolescents who have diminished ovarian reserve based on laboratory findings or who respond poorly to ovarian stimulation for egg freezing.
‣ Or
‣ Individuals with variations in sex characteristics (or differences in sex development, DSD) including Turner syndrome with Y chromosome material who undergo prophylactic gonadectomy for clinical indications.
‣ Or
‣ Individuals (2-35 years) receiving high-risk gonadotoxic therapy at the NIH Clinical Center who are at high risk for developing premature ovarian insufficiency and infertility.
⁃ Stated willingness to comply with all study procedures and availability for the duration of the study.
⁃ Ability of subject, parents, or guardian to understand and the willingness to sign a written informed consent document.