Chemotherapy can destroy human oocytes

Many chemotherapy treatments, and radiotherapy aimed at the pelvis, have the side-effect of accelerating this apoptosis, often propelling younger patients into premature menopause.

The scientists say they have found a way of interrupting the chemical sequence of events which leads to apoptosis of oocytes.

They managed to prevent the destruction of oocytes in female mice who were undergoing radiotherapy.

Now they are hopeful that the technique could one day be used to protect human oocytes against the ravages of cancer treatments.

However, other cancer specialists are not so sure that the technique could be without potential pitfalls.

A spokeswoman for the Cancer Research Campaign said that apoptosis was the body's way of dealing with cells - including oocytes - which had already sustained damage to their genetic makeup, preventing them reproducing in a mutated form.

She said: "The worry is that by stopping the apoptosis, you could go on to have children using damaged eggs, which might increase the risk of genetic defects."

The researchers said that offspring of their mice had so far shown no signs of this, although more research was needed to confirm safety.

The CRC spokeswoman added that such a treatment would have to be taken long-term to have any chance of holding back the menopause in older women.

She said that a delayed menopause might place women at greater peril of other health problems.

"We know that women who go through the menopause later are at higher risk of developing cancer," she said.

"So it might not be a very good idea to use it this way."