To preserve fertility in young boys, a fragment of the testis can be surgically removed and frozen, before cancer therapy starts. This testis fragment contains spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs) that have the potential to form sperm later in life.

Currently, research is ongoing to develop techniques to use these SSCs in order to restore fertility in adult life.

To better capture current practice and to co-ordinate clinical and research activity in fertility preservation in boys and restoration in their adult life, we have established the ORCHID-NET consortium.

ORCHID-NET was founded in 2022, with the aim of bringing together a network of experts in male fertility preservation and restoration, to focus on improving fertility outcomes after childhood illness.