Gender DysphoriaNCT05863676
Ovarian Tissue Cryopreservation in the Setting of Gender-affirming Therapy
An observational study of Gender Dysphoria and Transgender, run by University of Pittsburgh at 1 site in United States.
Trial summary
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: 1. To optimize techniques for cryopreservation of ovarian tissues, including determining efficacy of cryopreservation techniques. 2. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 9 years and older, women only
- Conditions the study is for
- Gender Dysphoria, Transgender
- What is being tested?
- Oophorectomy and Infectious Disease Testing
- Type of treatment
- Surgery or procedure
- How many people
- 20 participants
- Where
- 1 siteUnited States
- Study dates
- 14 Jul 2020to Jul 2030
- Phase
- Observational
- Are there results?
- Not yet: the study is under way
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 9 years and older
- Women only
- Child, Adult, Older adult
Study population: Eligible patients who will undergo gender-affirming treatments and for whom standard of care fertility preservation procedures are not available.
Who may be able to join
None listed.
Who cannot join
- 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.
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
United States1 site
Magee-Womens Hospital
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, 15213
About this study
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:
- To optimize techniques for cryopreservation of ovarian tissues, including determining efficacy of cryopreservation techniques.
- To investigate factors affecting ovarian tissue and follicles, such as previous treatment with leuprolide acetate, or hormone therapy
Read the detailed 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 transgender male patients (transitioning female to male) 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 transgender male patients, medical treatment is primarily comprised of testosterone, which is often preceded by GnRH agonists (such as leuprolide acetate) to reduce endogenous estrogen 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 GnRH agonist and/or testosterone therapy, fertility preservation counseling is an essential aspect of their care. Egg preservation does require the individual to undergo their natal puberty, and for many trans-males, this is undesirable and even contra-indicated from mental health standpoint, as the suicide rate for transgender youth is 10-times the national average. Ovarian tissue cryopreservation is an alternative option for transgender male patients who desire pubertal blockade and testosterone but have not yet gone through female puberty and are therefore not producing mature eggs.
- Conditions
- Gender Dysphoria, Transgender
- Being tested
- Oophorectomy, Infectious Disease Testing
- Keywords
- Fertility, Fertility Preservation, Infertility, Gender Affirming, Gender Diverse, Non-Binary, Ovary
- Medical subject headings
- Gender Dysphoria, Infertility
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
OophorectomyProcedure or surgery
Ovary will be removed for fertility preservation.
Infectious Disease TestingDiagnostic test
Infectious Disease Testing will be done on participants.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Cryopreservation | Participants will have their gonadal tissue cryopreserved. Receives: Procedure: Oophorectomy; Diagnostic Test: Infectious Disease Testing |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
To optimize techniques for cryopreservation of ovarian tissues, including determining efficacy of cryopreservation techniques.
Without undergoing puberty in one's natal sex, there are no standard of care fertility preservation options available for these patients. The study will aim to optimize techniques for cryopreservation of ovarian tissues by utilizing the best scientific standards for cryopreservation.
Measured: [10 years]
To investigate factors affecting ovarian tissue and follicles, such as previous treatment with leuprolide acetate, or hormone therapy.
For transgender male patients, medical treatment is primarily comprised of testosterone, which is often preceded by GnRH agonists (such as leuprolide acetate) to reduce endogenous estrogen production. There are theoretical concerns about the effects of long-standing hormonal treatment on the gonads and future fertility potential. The study aims to determine whether factors such as gender-affirming treatment affects the ovarian tissue and follicles by examining tissue donated to research.
Measured: [10 years]
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted18 May 2023
- Study start14 Jul 2020
- Primary completionJul 2030 (estimated)
- Study completionJul 2030 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for Gender DysphoriaStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- More trials run by University of PittsburghThe sponsor's other registered studies.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Observational
- Observational model
- Case only
- Time perspective
- Prospective
- Enrolment
- 20 participants (estimated)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- University of Pittsburgh
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Kyle Orwig, University of Pittsburgh
- Investigators
- Kyle Orwig, PhD, Principal investigator, University of Pittsburgh/ University of Pittsburgh Medical Center
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT05863676
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- STUDY19060046
- Status last verified
- Jul 2026
- First submitted
- 13 Apr 2023
- Last updated
- 9 Jul 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- Yes: The Investigators will publish individual participant data. The investigators will also report each individual participants data back to them. Participants will be identified with unique ID numbers. No identifiable information will be shared.
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 9 Jul 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Ovarian Tissue Cryopreservation in the Setting of Gender-affirming Therapy
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT05863676
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- STUDY19060046
- Conditions
- Gender Dysphoria, Transgender
- Keywords
- Fertility, Fertility Preservation, Infertility, Gender Affirming, Gender Diverse, Non-Binary, Ovary
- Study type
- Observational
- Recruitment status
- Active, not recruiting
- Enrolment
- 20 participants (estimated)
- Lead sponsor
- University of PittsburghUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 14 Jul 2020 (actual)
- Primary completion
- Jul 2030 (estimated)
- Study completion
- Jul 2030 (estimated)
- First posted
- 18 May 2023 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
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:
- To optimize techniques for cryopreservation of ovarian tissues, including determining efficacy of cryopreservation techniques.
- To investigate factors affecting ovarian tissue and follicles, such as previous treatment with leuprolide acetate, or hormone therapy
Detailed 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 transgender male patients (transitioning female to male) 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 transgender male patients, medical treatment is primarily comprised of testosterone, which is often preceded by GnRH agonists (such as leuprolide acetate) to reduce endogenous estrogen 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 GnRH agonist and/or testosterone therapy, fertility preservation counseling is an essential aspect of their care. Egg preservation does require the individual to undergo their natal puberty, and for many trans-males, this is undesirable and even contra-indicated from mental health standpoint, as the suicide rate for transgender youth is 10-times the national average. Ovarian tissue cryopreservation is an alternative option for transgender male patients who desire pubertal blockade and testosterone but have not yet gone through female puberty and are therefore not producing mature eggs.
Study design
- Observational model
- Case only
- Time perspective
- Prospective
- Number of arms
- 1
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Cryopreservation | – | Procedure: Oophorectomy, Diagnostic Test: Infectious Disease TestingParticipants will have their gonadal tissue cryopreserved. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 9 years and older
- Sex
- Female only
- Age groups
- Child, Adult, Older adult
- Study population
- Eligible patients who will undergo gender-affirming treatments and for whom standard of care fertility preservation procedures are not available.
Key inclusion criteria (0 listed)
Key exclusion criteria (2 listed)
- 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.
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| OophorectomyOvary will be removed for fertility preservation. | Procedure or surgery | Cryopreservation |
| Infectious Disease TestingInfectious Disease Testing will be done on participants. | Diagnostic test | Cryopreservation |
Primary outcome
To optimize techniques for cryopreservation of ovarian tissues, including determining efficacy of cryopreservation techniques.
Time frame: [10 years]
Without undergoing puberty in one's natal sex, there are no standard of care fertility preservation options available for these patients. The study will aim to optimize techniques for cryopreservation of ovarian tissues by utilizing the best scientific standards for cryopreservation.
To investigate factors affecting ovarian tissue and follicles, such as previous treatment with leuprolide acetate, or hormone therapy.
Time frame: [10 years]
For transgender male patients, medical treatment is primarily comprised of testosterone, which is often preceded by GnRH agonists (such as leuprolide acetate) to reduce endogenous estrogen production. There are theoretical concerns about the effects of long-standing hormonal treatment on the gonads and future fertility potential. The study aims to determine whether factors such as gender-affirming treatment affects the ovarian tissue and follicles by examining tissue donated to research.
Results and safety
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 9 Jul 2026.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: Yes. The Investigators will publish individual participant data. The investigators will also report each individual participants data back to them. Participants will be identified with unique ID numbers. No identifiable information will be shared.
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part. This study is not recruiting at the moment.
Kyle Orwig, PhD principal investigator
University of Pittsburgh/ University of Pittsburgh Medical Center
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
An observational study of Gender Dysphoria and Transgender, run by University of Pittsburgh at 1 site in United States.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 0 inclusion and 2 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: under way, not looking for participants, as of the sponsor's last update on 9 Jul 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in United States. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
To optimize techniques for cryopreservation of ovarian tissues, including determining efficacy of cryopreservation techniques. (time frame: [10 years]). The study lists 2 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 9 Jul 2026; AzTrials last refreshed its copy on 8 Nov 2026.