Rachel Barber became sterile after intensive chemotherapy, gave birth to baby Ysaline with autologous ovarian tissue. This is the first success of this type for such a procedure in France.

The University Hospital of Besançon and Limoges have contributed to this medical feat which made it possible for a young woman to bear and deliver a child. Rachel Barber had to undergo intensive chemotherapy for a bone marrow transplant to treat a severe form of sickle cell disease, hereditary disease which causes an alteration in hemoglobin.

In late 2005, Dr. Agnan, obstetrician-gynecologist of the CHU of Besancon, took one of the ovaries of the young mother. The external part of the ovary was conditioned, frozen and preserved in liquid nitrogen by the team of Professor Roux of the same hospital.

When Rachel was declared cured, she wanted to become a mother despite her infertility. The ovarian tissue was thawed and grafted on Rachel Barber by Dr. Piver, of the CHU of Limoges. The transplant was completed in 2008. Later baby Ysaline was born on June 22, weighs 3.7 kg and is in perfect health.

A first attempt at the CHU of Limoges had resulted in an ectopic pregnancy in 2008. Only six births in the world, including three after in vitro fertilization, are the result of an ovarian autograft. Professor Roux talks about this birth as a hope for patients wishing to preserve their fertility and having children.