Testicular tissue transplant to restore fertility in adult men
Tests transplanting frozen testicular tissue, saved in childhood, in adult men.
Plain-language title generated from the registry record
Registry title: Autologous Testicular Tissue Transplantation
Key facts
- Where
- Brussels, BelgiumSee the site
Could this be for you?
Answer for yourself. This is not a decision: only the study team can say whether you can take part.
- Are you between 18 and 50 years old?
Source: NCT05414045, who can take part
Where in Belgium
- UZ Brussel Centre for Reproductive MedicineBrussels, BelgiumTaking people
Questions to ask the study team
- How often do I need to come in, and for how long each time?
- Are travel costs paid?
- Can I keep my own doctor?
- What happens if I want to stop?
Trial details
- Who runs it
- Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussel
- Trial code
- NCT05414045
- Record updated
- 23 April 2026
- Original description
Freezing testicular tissue of prepubertal boys is a method for preserving spermatogonial stem cells in case of imminent gonadotoxic treatment during childhood. In case of total azoospermia or absence of spermatozoa that can be used for intra-cytoplasmic injection (ICSI) in adulthood, the investigators intend to perform the first in men autologous testicular tissue transplantation to restore fertility.Read full original descriptionShow less
Autologous Testicular Tissue Transplantation for Fertility Restoration
Freezing testicular tissue of prepubertal boys is a method for preserving spermatogonial stem cells in case of imminent gonadotoxic treatment during childhood. In case of total azoospermia or absence of spermatozoa that can be used for intra-cytoplasmic injection (ICSI) in adulthood, the investigators intend to perform the first in men autologous testicular tissue transplantation to restore fertility.
Inclusion: At least 18 years old; In case of female partner, age < 43 year; Absence of spermatozoa that can be used for ICSI on 2 semen analyses; Normal standardised preliminary and preoperative bloodsampling results; Complete remission of the oncological or hematological disease; Approval of the treating oncologist or other specialist in case of non-oncological disease as reason for the testicular tissue preservation as a child; Risk for presence of malignant cells in testicular tissue is negligible (according to multidisciplinary assessment); Presence of spermatogonial stem cells (positive MAGE staining) in one or two of the thawed fragments (If absence of spermatogonial stem cells in two of the thawed fragments, the case will be discussed multidisciplinary); Written informed consent for the transplantation of cryopreserved testicular tissue and follow-up after the procedure and of children born eventually after this procedure.
Exclusion: Contra-indication for surgery; Risk for presence of malignant cells in the testicular tissue; Instable psychological condition; Contra-indication for pregnancy in the female partner; BMI > 32; Heavy smoking (≥10 cigarettes/day).
The eligible patients opted as a prepubertal boy to enroll in the fertility preservation program and on the moment of cancer diagnosis or hematological disorder, their parents have agreed to cryopreserve testicular tissue for later autologous transplantation.