Testicular Tissue Cryopreservation in the Setting of Gender-Affirming Therapy

University of Pittsburgh

Status

Active, not recruiting

Conditions

Gender Dysphoria

Transgender

Treatments

Procedure: Gonadal Tissue Removal

Diagnostic Test: Infectious Disease Testing

Study type

Observational

Funder types

Other

Identifiers

NCT05829928

STUDY19070264

Details and patient eligibility

About

The goal of this study is to learn about fertility preservation in the gender-diverse community. The main objectives it aims to understand are to:

Optimize techniques for processing and cryopreserving testicular tissue.
Determine presence and number of germ cells (sperm precursors) in the patients' testicular tissue.
Develop next generation cell- and tissue-based therapies for preserving fertility and treating infertility.

Full description

Fertility preservation is an important aspect of care for all patients who may have their fertility compromised secondary to disease, medical treatments, age or other circumstances, including treatments for gender dysphoria. An increasing number of gender diverse patients are presenting to fertility clinics for fertility preservation. Studies indicate that parenthood is important for this patient population. Therefore, both the Endocrine Society and the World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH) recommend that fertility preservation be discussed with all patients prior to initiation of medical treatments for gender dysphoria.

For gender diverse patients, medical treatment is primarily comprised of estradiol, which is often preceded by GnRH agonists (such as leuprolide acetate, histrelin) to reduce endogenous testosterone production. There are theoretical concerns about the effects of long-standing hormonal treatment on the gonads and future fertility potential. Regardless of the timing of initiation of hormone suppression and/or estradiol therapy, fertility preservation counseling is an essential aspect of their care. Sperm preservation does require the individual to undergo their natal puberty, and for many transgender patients, this is undesirable and even contra-indicated from mental health standpoint, as the suicide rate for transgender youth is 10-times the national average. Testicular tissue cryopreservation is an alternative option for transgender patients who desire pubertal blockade and estradiol but have not yet initiated sperm production (spermarche) to preserve their fertility. Spermarche typically occurs at sexual maturity rating (SMR) 4 and pubertal blockade is offered as early as SMR 2.

Enrollment

150 estimated patients

Sex

Male

Ages

9+ years old

Volunteers

No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

Category 1 participants must have all criteria listed below:

Patient with testes over the age of 9
Diagnosed with gender dysphoria; currently on or imminently planning to start gender affirming treatment (hormone blockers or gender-affirming hormones)
Have a clinical referral for fertility preservation from their primary care physician
Unwilling to undergo natal puberty or, for patients who have gone through puberty, unwilling to discontinue hormone suppression and/or hormone replacement therapy.

Category 2 participants only fall into this category if they are undergoing gender-affirming surgery. They must have all criteria listed below:

Patient is 18+ years old
Diagnosed with gender dysphoria
Unwilling to undergo natal puberty, or for patients who have gone through puberty, be unwilling to discontinue hormone suppression and/or sex steroid (estrogen) therapy.
Will be undergoing gender affirming surgery that involves removal of the testes.

Exclusion criteria

Diagnosed with psychological, psychiatric, or other conditions which prevent giving fully informed consent.
Diagnosed with an underlying medical condition that significantly increases their risk of complications from anesthesia and surgery.