Hartshorne Geraldine
Department of Biological Sciences, University of Warwick, CV4 7AL, UK.
Hum Fertil (Camb). 2003 May;6(2):71-3. doi: 10.1080/1464770312331369073.
The storage of embryos and mature gametes is regulated by the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) and the laboratories concerned are generally in assisted conception centres. The HFEA does not regulate storage of immature gametes, such as oocytes in ovarian cortex, where no mature gametes are present. Under the Department of Health Code of Practice on Tissue Banking, since 1 April 2003, immature gametes must be stored in accredited tissue banks only. Most IVF units are unable to comply with this code, and many have stopped storing ovarian tissue. In the future, when patients request transplantation of tissue stored in non-accredited banks, individual Trusts will decide whether it is safe to be used. The Department of Health Code of Practice does not apply to mature gametes and embryos. Consequently, these may now be stored in conditions less stringent than those of other tissues used therapeutically. However, an EU directive covering all banked tissues used in therapy, specifically including gametes, embryos and stem cells, may soon eliminate this inconsistency. The standards used in fertility banking must therefore be improved if current practice in embryo and gamete cryopreservation is to continue. This article examines the present situation and the issues raised.
胚胎和成熟配子的储存由人类受精与胚胎学管理局（HFEA）监管，相关实验室通常设在辅助生殖中心。HFEA并不监管未成熟配子的储存，比如卵巢皮质中不存在成熟配子的卵母细胞。根据卫生部组织库操作规范，自2003年4月1日起，未成熟配子必须仅储存在经认可的组织库中。大多数试管婴儿单位无法遵守该规范，许多单位已停止储存卵巢组织。未来，当患者要求移植储存在未经认可的组织库中的组织时，各独立信托机构将决定其使用是否安全。卫生部操作规范不适用于成熟配子和胚胎。因此，它们现在的储存条件可能不如用于治疗的其他组织那样严格。然而，一项涵盖治疗中使用的所有储存组织（具体包括配子、胚胎和干细胞）的欧盟指令可能很快会消除这种不一致情况。因此，如果要继续目前胚胎和配子冷冻保存的做法，生育力储存所采用的标准就必须提高。本文探讨了当前的情况及引发的问题。
