Clinical Trials

Inclusion Criteria:

• Female patient, age birth - 17 years old.
• Have a diagnosis of a medical condition that is expected to result in permanent diminished or complete loss of subsequent ovarian function (e.g. Turner’s syndrome); OR
• Have a diagnosis that will create a need for surgery, chemotherapy, drug treatment and/or radiation for the treatment or prevention of the condition (e.g., lupus nephritis) or malignancy and is expected to result in permanent diminished or complete loss of subsequent ovarian function. Unlike in males where a semen analysis provides an objective measure of testicular function, ovarian reserve testing remains subjective by evaluation of hormones. Therefore, to objectively qualify a degree of expected diminished loss of fertility is difficult. We have attached a supporting document outlining the chemotherapeutic agents which can results in moderate to high risk of gonadotoxicity; OR
• Have a medical condition or malignancy that requires removal of all or part of one or both ovaries. Girls with ovarian or germ cell tumors requiring removal of all or part of one or both ovaries will also be eligible for inclusion in the study; OR
• Have a newly diagnosed or recurrent disease affecting fertility.
• For patients undergoing elective removal of all or part of an ovary for fertility preservation only, they must have two ovaries.
• Sign an approved informed consent and authorization permitting the release of personal health information. The patient and/or the patient’s legally authorized guardian must acknowledge in writing that consent for specimen collection has been obtained, in accordance with institutional policies approved by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Girls with psychological, psychiatric, or other conditions which prevent giving fully informed consent.
• Girls whose underlying medical condition significantly increases their risk of complications from anesthesia and surgery.
• Subjects with extensive disease whose therapy is deemed palliative by the medical oncologist will not be selected.
• Subjects with suspected severe diminished ovarian reserve, such as a follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) level of >40.