Baby Born From Transplanted Ovary

by Jennifer Jordan (Subscribe to Jennifer Jordan's posts) Dec 14th 2008 10:02AM

Categories: Newborns, Just For Moms, Pregnancy & Birth

I hate to say it's a miracle, but by heavens, IT'S A MIRACLE! Well, actually, it's science. A baby girl has been born after a twin donated an ovary to her sister, who was infertile. According to reports, this is the first time the ovary transplant leading to a live birth was a success.

Doctors in St. Louis, Missouri, were able to transplant an ovary from one twin to another after the 38-year-old sister went into early menopause at age 15. The complete ovary was frozen, and then, after being transplanted, attached via tiny, tiny veins to ensure proper blood flow. Similar procedures have been attempted before, but not using an entire transplanted ovary.

This procedure, in fact, could--and in one case did--restore a woman's fertility, or extend it, which of course are pretty controversial topics. Women are having children later and later in life and could theoretically have an ovary removed, freeze it, then pop it back in when they're ready to have kids! Cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy, which could damage or destroy ovaries, could have the ovary removed and replaced after the treatment.

Source

Comments (1)

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Sandyone 12-14-2008 @ 10:52AM

Wow, that is amazing that they were able to freeze the organ and then transplant it. With other organs, isn't it vital to get them transplanted as soon as possible?

What a great gift from sister to sister, and not nearly the moral dilemma of other treatments for infertility. I'd be leary of major surgery and the risks for something other than a life-saving procedure, though.

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