Who we are

For children and some adults who have to start treatment urgently, the standard fertility preservation methods of egg, embryo or sperm storage are not an appropriate option.

Tissue cryopreservation

Ovarian

For girls and women who are unable to freeze eggs or embryos, a treatment called ovarian tissue cryopreservation may be offered.

This is where part or all of an ovary is removed, frozen and stored ('cryopreserved') for future use.

Testicular

For boys and men who cannot produce a sperm sample, a treatment called testicular tissue cryopreservation may be offered to protect their future fertility.

This is where a small part of a testicle is removed, frozen and stored ('cryopreserved') for future use.

Storage

All tissue procurement is coordinated and then cryopreserved and stored at the Oxford Cell and Tissue Biobank (OCTB), within the licences issued by the Human Tissue Authority (HTA) and Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA).

Future Fertility Fund

We are kindly supported by donations from the Future Fertility Fund, a charitable fund set up to support this work and which is managed by Oxford Hospitals Charity:

Future Fertility Fund - Oxford Hospitals Charity

Eligibility

Children and adults up to 35 years of age who, due to medical treatment, are at high risk of premature infertility (inability to create a pregnancy) and are not suitable for egg/embryo or sperm storage may be eligible for tissue cryopreservation.

If you think that you might be eligible, please talk to the consultant in charge of your treatment - we cannot accept self-referrals.

For more information please visit 'For patients'

Referrals

Referrals for advice or tissue cryopreservation can be accepted from consultants at treatment centres across England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

All referrals must be made by a medical practitioner in charge of treatment - we cannot accept self-referrals.

For eligibility criteria and referral forms please visit 'For professionals'

Contact us

Tel: 01865 220076 (24 hour answerphone)

Email: FutureFertilityTrust@ouh.nhs.uk

Oxford Cell and Tissue Biobank
Level 0, Oxford Heart Centre
John Radcliffe Hospital
Oxford OX3 9DU

How to find the John Radcliffe Hospital