“Women with conditions such as Poor Ovarian Response (POR) and Diminished Ovarian Reserve (DOR) face significant challenges in assisted reproduction.”
A new study published recently in Aging (Aging-US) Volume 17, Issue 6, examines a novel treatment for women with ovarian failure. Researchers from IVI Clinics Alicante in Spain investigated a procedure called Stem Cell Regenera, which uses the body’s own stem cells and platelet-rich plasma to activate dormant follicles in the ovaries. This innovative protocol could expand options for patients with ovarian failure who have not responded to conventional fertility therapies.
Understanding Ovarian Failure
Ovarian failure affects women’s ability to conceive by reducing the quantity and quality of eggs in the ovaries. Conditions like Poor Ovarian Response, Diminished Ovarian Reserve, and Premature Ovarian Insufficiency are key reasons for infertility and make it hard to use assisted reproduction methods like in vitro fertilization (IVF).
Standard fertility treatments often fail to improve outcomes for these patients, leaving donor eggs as the primary alternative. However, recent advances in regenerative medicine have raised the possibility of restoring ovarian function using cellular therapies. Emerging research suggests that the right biological conditions could reactivate dormant follicles within the ovaries, potentially helping patients to use their eggs.
The Study: A Two-Step Regenerative Protocol
Led by first author Amparo Santamaria and co-authors Ana Ballester and Manuel Muñoz, the study titled “Enhancing oocyte activation in women with ovarian failure: clinical outcomes of the Stem Cell Regenera study using G-CSF mobilization of peripheral blood stem cells and intraovarian injection of stem cell factor-enriched platelet rich plasma in real-world-practice,” examined the effectiveness of Stem Cell Regenera in a real-world clinical setting. The protocol combined two key steps. First, patients received granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF), a substance that mobilizes hematopoietic stem cells from the bone marrow into the bloodstream. Second, clinicians performed an ultrasound-guided injection of platelet-rich plasma, enriched with stem cell growth factors, directly into the ovaries.
The retrospective observational study carried out from January 2023 to December 2024 analyzed data from 145 women aged 26 to 44 years who had previously exhausted conventional fertility options. Researchers evaluated whether this procedure could stimulate ovarian activity and improve pregnancy outcomes.
Results: Activation of Ovarian Function
The study found that nearly 70% of participants demonstrated ovarian activation, defined as either an increase in developing follicles or a rise in Anti-Müllerian Hormone levels. Among these women, approximately 7% achieved spontaneous pregnancies without further intervention, while 14% became pregnant following IVF treatment.
Importantly, the procedure was well tolerated. No severe adverse effects were reported, and most participants experienced only mild and transient symptoms such as headaches or fatigue. The use of the patient’s own cells minimized the risk of immune reactions and contributed to the overall safety profile.
The Impact: Expanding Fertility Options
The Stem Cell Regenera protocol represents a promising development in reproductive medicine by offering an alternative for women with ovarian failure who prefer to use their own eggs rather than donor eggs. Unlike traditional hormonal therapies, this approach focuses on rejuvenating the ovarian environment itself, which may enable natural follicular development.
While the findings are encouraging, the researchers caution that the study was observational in design and lacked a control group. These factors limit the ability to draw definitive conclusions about efficacy.
Future Perspectives and Conclusion
Stem Cell Regenera adds to a growing body of evidence supporting regenerative therapies in fertility care. However, large randomized controlled trials are needed to confirm its effectiveness, identify the patient populations most likely to benefit, and assess long-term outcomes.
As an experimental approach, it may be considered in select cases where conventional therapies have failed. To learn more about this research, readers can watch an interview with the study’s lead author, Dr. Amparo Santamaria, here.
Click here to read the full research paper published in Aging (Aging-US).
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