During ESHRE 2027, OvaNet members came together to discuss the network’s next steps and explore new opportunities for collaboration.

The meeting included:

• A demonstration of the OvaNet member platform
• A review of the proposed institutional survey on ovarian tissue cryopreservation
• An update on the initial prioritisation survey, already completed by 40 members
• Discussions about data collection, funding and a future COST Action application
• Planning and demonstration of the Institutional Survey

Institutional Survey

A major focus of the discussion was the scope and structure of the institutional survey.

Here is what was discussed:

• To make participation as practical as possible, the group agreed that questions should be answerable using existing institutional records.
• A preparatory overview document will be provided so that contributors can identify and gather the necessary information in advance.
• The survey will be divided into clinical and laboratory sections, helping institutions distribute the work among the appropriate contributors.
• It will collect historical case totals, with the option to provide annual or five-year interval breakdowns for cases up to and including 2026.
• The platform will also allow multiple contributors to collaborate on behalf of the same institution, with responses saved automatically as they work.
• The group discussed the practical challenges of harmonising data from different centres. Existing Excel summaries may be imported where formats can be standardised, while AI-assisted data transformation will also be explored as a possible way to reduce the workload—particularly for larger centres with extensive historical records.

Although no final launch date for the survey has yet been agreed, the team is working towards a revised survey draft by September and aims to complete the full survey by Christmas.

Funding and Long-term Governance

OvaNet plans to submit a stronger application to the EU COST Action programme, supported by more detailed implementation planning and professional grant-writing expertise. Other possible approaches, including cost-sharing between participating centres and the creation of a charity or consortium, remain under consideration.