Assisted Reproductive Technologies

Assisted reproductive technologies (ART) refer to a range of techniques that use micro-manipulation of gametesembryos in vitro to assist infertile couples in achieving pregnancy. These include intrauterine insemination (IUI), in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer (IVF-ET),derivative technologies. Among these technologies, IVF-ET—commonly known as “test-tube baby” technology—involves a series of procedures such as in vitro fertilization of oocytessperm, embryo culture,embryo transfer. Since the first successful IVF pregnancy at the hospital in May 2012, we have helped thousands of families achieve parenthood. Our services include conventional IVF, intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI),donor sperm IVF, all of which have achieved clinical pregnancy rates on par with national top-tier institutions.

2. Overview of the New Fertility Preservation Program for Young Female Cancer Patients

Fertility preservation involves surgical, pharmaceutical,ART-based interventions to help adultprepubescent femalesmales at risk of infertility. This includes cryopreservation of oocytes, embryos,ovarian tissue in females,sementesticular tissue in males, with the aim of restoring reproductiveendocrine function after cancer treatment.

Relying on the hospital’s leading position as the central medical hub of the southern Hunan region, our team conducted a regional survey on female cancer patients of reproductive age. We found that thyroidbreast cancer patients accounted for 54.86% of this group. These cancers generally have good prognoses and, notably, 65.7% of affected women expressed strong desire for future fertility. Therefore, to meet the reproductiveendocrine health needs of young female cancer patients, we launched this new program, which helps patients safely preserverestore fertilityreproductive endocrine function. This program may also benefit patients with declining fertility due to other specific conditions.

3. Overview of the New Technology: Intrauterine Infusion of Autologous Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) for Thin Endometrium

Autologous PRP is a plasma product with a high concentration of platelets obtained through centrifugation of the patient’s own blood. It contains multiple growth factors, such as epidermal growth factor (EGF), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF),platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF), which promote tissue repairangiogenesis. PRP is widely used in burn care, orthopedics,aestheticsis well-recognized across these fields. In reproductive medicine, intrauterine infusion of PRP is a promising clinical research method for treating thin endometrium. Studies have shown PRP can stimulate endometrial proliferationimprove pregnancy outcomes in patients with thin endometrium. It is emerging as a safeeffective treatment option for these patients.

Indications:

IVF (“Test-Tube Baby” Technology):

1. Tubal obstructionother gamete transport disorders;

2. Ovulatory dysfunction unresponsive to conventional treatments;

3. Endometriosis;

4. Diminished ovarian reserve;

5. Severe oligoasthenoteratozoospermia (ICSI required for very severe cases);

6. Unexplained infertility.

Fertility Preservation for Young Female Cancer Patients:

1. Cancer patients undergoing radiotherapy and/or chemotherapy.

2. Patients with non-malignant tumors undergoing bone marrowhematopoietic stem cell transplantation.

3. Patients with benign ovarian tumors, endometriosis,those undergoing prophylactic bilateral oophorectomy.

4. Patients with autoimmune diseases requiring treatment with cyclophosphamidesimilar agents.

5. Women with geneticautoimmune conditions at high risk for premature ovarian insufficiency.

Intrauterine PRP Infusion for Thin Endometrium:

Patients with endometrial injurythin endometrium (<7 mm), which impairs embryo implantationdevelopment, thereby reducing implantation rates, clinical pregnancy rates,live birth rates. Such conditions may lead to IVF cycle cancellations, recurrent implantation failure,infertility.

Technical Advantages:

IVF Technology:

The center was established under the framework of a large public tertiary Class A hospitalhas more than a decade of operational history. It maintains close interdisciplinary collaborations with gynecology, obstetrics, endocrinology,rheumatology, allowing for comprehensive, one-stop care throughout preconception, pregnancy,postpartum periods. This ensures a safeefficient pathway to parenthood for infertile patients.

Fertility Preservation Program for Young Female Cancer Patients:

Cancer, cardiovascular diseases,infertility are three major threats to human health. Fertility issues related to cancer are particularly complex. As cancer is increasingly diagnosed in younger patients due to advancements in early detection, more reproductive-ageeven prepubescent girls are being diagnosed early with cancers such as breast, thyroid, cervical cancer,hematologic malignancies like lymphomaleukemia—all with favorable prognosisfive-year survival rates. This technology helps fulfill the strong reproductive desiresendocrine restoration needs of these patients. Our team is based at the First Affiliated Hospital of University of South China, a regional medical center with well-established disciplines—especially in oncology, breastthyroid surgery, obstetricsgynecology, pediatrics, radiology,pathology—many of which are provincial key specialtiespart of national first-class undergraduate education programs. The hospital’s advanced infrastructure, robust clinical capabilities, standardized management,strong institutional support provide optimal conditions for the implementation of new technologies. Our reproductive medicine center, a designated specialty cultivation project of the university in 2022, has practiced ART for over 10 yearsachieved pregnancy rates exceeding 70%. The core technologies for this program include gameteovarian tissue cryopreservation, which are well-established within our center. Additionally, our team has developed clinical guidelines for indications, contraindications,technical protocols based on internationalnational standards to ensure safeeffective implementation.

Intrauterine PRP Infusion for Thin Endometrium:

This technique involves the use of sterile, concentrated autologous PRP prepared through a standardized process, followed by intrauterine infusion to treat thin endometrium. The risk is minimal, making it an ideal adjunct therapy for patients with endometrial damage following surgery, such as intrauterine adhesiolysis.

Current Implementation at the Hospital

IVF Technology:

Thousands of IVF cycles have been completed to date, with clinical pregnancy rates reaching top national standards.

Fertility Preservation Program:

The center has already provided fertility-preserving assisted reproductive services to over ten couples. All have had high-quality embryos cryopreserved, achieving fertility preservation without any reported tumor recurrenceadverse events.

Intrauterine PRP Infusion:

More than 20 patients are currently undergoing treatment with no adverse effects observed. Significant improvements in endometrial receptivity have been noted.