Medindia LOGIN REGISTER
Medindia
Advertisement

Sister Act

by Ann Samuel on August 2, 2007 at 2:58 PM
Sister Act

A ray of hope is shining for women affected with infertility due to ovarian tissue damage. Though a 'first' and one of its kind, Belgian doctors are viewing with elation the successful production of an embryo in an ovary of a woman who was suffering from infertility. An ovarian graft was transplanted from the woman's non-identical sister- an uncommon event.

The recipient Teresa Alvaro underwent intensive chemotherapy and radiation for beta-thalessemia at the age of 20, which left her with damaged ovaries and non-functional eggs. Teresa also underwent a bone marrow transplant from her sister.

Advertisement

Deriving hope from a case where a woman benefited from an ovarian tissue graft from her twin, Teresa received the same from her sister, who is incidentally not her twin. This is what makes the successful production of an embryo extraordinary. Following the transplant Teresa started to menstruate again, and after a year doctors were able to recover two eggs from her ovaries.

This is the first time a successful ovarian tissue graft has been carried out between sisters who are not twins or of the same genetic make-up.

According to the journal Human Reproduction, these eggs were removed and fertilized to produce two embryos. Although they did not survive, doctors are now hope of helping cancer survivors, who could not preserve eggs or ovarian tissue before therapy, have a chance at motherhood.

Professor Jacques Donnez of the Catholic University in Louvain, Brussels, carried out the operation. Teresa is planning more IVF treatments and more importantly, has not lost hope of becoming a mother one day.

Source: Medindia
ANN/C
Font : A-A+

Advertisement

Advertisement
Advertisement

Latest Organ Donation News

Brain-Dead Man's Organs Saves 4 Lives
Multiple organs from a 28-year-old brain-dead man had been successfully transplanted into four critically ill patients at several hospitals in India.
Organ Donation Disparity: 80% Women Donors, 80% Men Recipients
93% of organ donations in India are from living donors, 80% of whom are women-exposing a hidden gender bias. Time to rewrite the narrative.
Vaccine To Regulate Immunity in Transplant Rejection & Auto-Immune Disorders
A vaccine that stimulates CD8 T regulatory cells helps to prevent self-destructive immune reactions in autoimmune diseases and organ transplant rejection.
 World's First Whole-Eye Transplant Restores War Veteran's Vision
An entire left eye and a portion of the face were transplanted from a single donor during the 21-hour surgery.
Karnataka Adopts Tamil Nadu's Organ Donation Policy
Karnataka is to follow Tamil Nadu's organ donation policy to respect organ donors and their families and to encourage the admirable cause of organ donation.
View All
This site uses cookies to deliver our services.By using our site, you acknowledge that you have read and understand our Cookie Policy, Privacy Policy, and our Terms of Use  Ok, Got it. Close
×

Sister Act Personalised Printable Document (PDF)

Please complete this form and we'll send you a personalised information that is requested

You may use this for your own reference or forward it to your friends.

Please use the information prudently. If you are not a medical doctor please remember to consult your healthcare provider as this information is not a substitute for professional advice.

Name *

Email Address *

Country *

Areas of Interests