Fertility preservation in girls and adolescents with Turner syndrome: lessons for reproductive care in differences of sex development - a mini-review
- 1Department of Pediatric Endocrinology and Rheumatology, Institute of Pediatrics, Poznan University of Medical Sciences , ,
- 2Division of Gynecology, Unit of Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences , ,
Abstract
Current knowledge regarding fertility preservation (FP) in girls is derived predominantly from pediatric oncology cohorts; however, FP is increasingly being applied to non-oncological conditions associated with impaired fertility, including differences of sex development (DSD). Turner syndrome (TS), characterized by accelerated germ cell depletion beginning during fetal life, represents the DSD condition with the greatest clinical experience in FP. This mini-review summarizes current evidence on ovarian tissue cryopreservation and oocyte cryopreservation in TS. Available data support the technical feasibility and general procedural safety of both approaches. A 46,XX cell line, spontaneous pubertal development, detectable AMH, and lower FSH concentrations are frequently associated with follicle detection or successful oocyte retrieval. However, evidence regarding utilization, pregnancy, and live birth remains very limited, and the reproductive effectiveness of FP in TS has not yet been established. Moreover, future cardiovascular eligibility for pregnancy and associated obstetric risks should be considered when counseling patients and families. Until long-term outcome data become available, individualized patient selection and multidisciplinary counseling are essential to provide realistic expectations regarding the potential benefits, limitations, and uncertainties of FP. Experience in TS may also inform reproductive care in other DSD conditions.
Related
- Fertility Preservation in Women with Endometriosis: Indications, Timing, Techniques, and Reproductive Outcomes
- Precision Oncofertility: Integrating Genomics, Reproductive Biomarkers, Treatment Toxicity Profiles, and Foundation Models for Fertility Preservation in Men and Women with Cancer
- Beyond Fertility: Ethical and Psychosocial Dimensions of Fertility Preservation in Children and Adolescents
- Multilevel factors related to fertility preservation decision-making among women of reproductive age with breast cancer: A mixed-methods systematic review.
- Fertility preservation with successful pregnancy outcome in a young patient with endometrial cancer
BibTeX
@article{kolesinska2026fertility,
title = {{Fertility preservation in girls and adolescents with Turner syndrome: lessons for reproductive care in differences of sex development - a mini-review}},
author = {Zofia Kolesińska and Monika Obara-Moszyńska and Marek Niedziela and Karina Kapczuk},
journal = {Frontiers in endocrinology},
year = {2026},
month = sep,
doi = {10.3389/fendo.2026.1918808},
url = {https://europepmc.org/article/PMC/PMC13662555},
note = {CC BY},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Fertility preservation in girls and adolescents with Turner syndrome: lessons for reproductive care in differences of sex development - a mini-review
AU - Zofia Kolesińska
AU - Monika Obara-Moszyńska
AU - Marek Niedziela
AU - Karina Kapczuk
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/09/30
JO - Frontiers in endocrinology
DO - 10.3389/fendo.2026.1918808
UR - https://europepmc.org/article/PMC/PMC13662555
AB - Current knowledge regarding fertility preservation (FP) in girls is derived predominantly from pediatric oncology cohorts; however, FP is increasingly being applied to non-oncological conditions associated with impaired fertility, including differences of sex development (DSD). Turner syndrome (TS), characterized by accelerated germ cell depletion beginning during fetal life, represents the DSD condition with the greatest clinical experience in FP. This mini-review summarizes current evidence on ovarian tissue cryopreservation and oocyte cryopreservation in TS. Available data support the technical feasibility and general procedural safety of both approaches. A 46,XX cell line, spontaneous pubertal development, detectable AMH, and lower FSH concentrations are frequently associated with follicle detection or successful oocyte retrieval. However, evidence regarding utilization, pregnancy, and live birth remains very limited, and the reproductive effectiveness of FP in TS has not yet been established. Moreover, future cardiovascular eligibility for pregnancy and associated obstetric risks should be considered when counseling patients and families. Until long-term outcome data become available, individualized patient selection and multidisciplinary counseling are essential to provide realistic expectations regarding the potential benefits, limitations, and uncertainties of FP. Experience in TS may also inform reproductive care in other DSD conditions.
SN - 1664-2392
ER -