SEGOVA
The SEGOVA Rejuvenation Program, developed by Professor Aleksandar Ljubić, represents the pinnacle of advanced, innovative, and safe autologous methods for rejuvenating ovaries. By utilizing the patient’s own cells and growth factors, this program aims to restore and enhance gonadal function and hormone production, thereby improving reproductive health and overall bodily function.
A key advantage of the SEGOVA Program lies in its foundation on autologous regeneration of the ovaries, which are significantly affected by aging. The proper functioning of the ovaries is crucial as they influence the operation and structure of all other tissues and organs in the body.
The SEGOVA Rejuvenation Program is entirely autologous, eliminating the need for chemicals and medications, making it a safe option with no side effects. Throughout the program, the SEGOVA team tailors personalized nutrition and physical activity plans for patients, designed to support the gonads in generating the elements needed to produce new egg cells and maintain the functionality of existing endocrine-hormone producing cells.
Age-related ovarian dysfunction and fertility decline have become significant concerns as women increasingly attempt their first pregnancies later in life. Female fertility decreases considerably after age 35, leading to poor oocyte quality, meiotic spindle abnormalities, chromosome misalignment, shortened telomeres, and low-quality embryos.
Many women seek ovarian rejuvenation programs to preserve their fertility. Modern societal trends and the pressures of contemporary civilization often led to delayed reproduction. Additionally, various diseases can severely impact ovarian function and egg cell quality.
The SEGOVA treatment is particularly beneficial for:
- Premature ovarian failure (POF syndrome)
- Unsuccessful IVF cycles related to maternal age
- Early-onset menopause
- Advanced reproductive age
By undergoing the SEGOVA rejuvenation program, restored ovarian tissue resumes its previous role, initiating the production of eggs and sex hormones. This restoration re-establishes lost ovarian functions, rejuvenating all other organs and tissues in the body and enhancing their overall function.
SEGOVA Program consists of several separate procedures (Dual Segova – DSA, Segova NG, Segova BS) integrated into a common project aimed to support, increase or create elements necessary for normal gonadal (ovaries or testes) function.
The first letters of the SEGOVA abbreviation in fact represent the specific procedures:
S – Stem cell therapy
Cell therapy which uses autologous stem cells – cells obtained from the patients’ own body. The aim is to incite existing non-differentiated gonadal stem cells – which are to be developed into new oocytes and the hormone-producing cells.
E – Energy mitochondrial boosting
Modern biotechnological procedures that use stem cells and their derivatives, can impact the quantity and quality of mitochondria. Enhancing mitochondrial energy production in ovarian cells can also be achieved through a specialized exercise regimen known as HIIT (High Intensity Interval Training). HIIT is a combination of highly intensive, intermittent, specific anaerobic exercise.
G – Growth factor PLPR therapy
Growth factors are essential mediators in gonadal control mechanisms. These growth factors are obtained from the patient’s own blood and used to treat gonadal tissue. They act by controlling the creation and growth of eggs and the surrounding cells responsible for hormone production. In recent years, ovarian rejuvenation methods have been applied worldwide in order to improve the hormonal and reproductive conditions of the patient and thus their quality of life. PLRP is a separated part of the whole blood where the high platelet level is concentrated, but with growth factors of 3 to 5 times the plasma concentration. Growth factors are found in the granules and they play an important role in cell proliferation, chemotaxis, promotion of angiogenesis and differentiation of mesenchymal and other types of cells.
OVA – Ovarian in Vitro Activation
The production of eggs – oogenesis, is dependent on proper genetic control. The Hippo signalling pathway is essential for maintaining optimum organ size. It contains several negative growth regulators. The AKT the signalling pathway has a key role in the initiation of follicle growth. The ovarian in vitro activation represents the autologous genetic treatment of the gonadal tissue in order to restore both reproductive and endocrine functions of the ovary.
Dual SEGOVA (DSA – Dual Stem cell Activation) is an absolutely unique, most cutting-edge ovarian rejuvenation program, that utilizes two types of autologous stem cells (SC) – mesenchymal and hematopoietic. The key principle of Dual SEGOVA is the concurrent application of mesenchymal and hematopoietic stem cells, which synergistically enhance each other’s effects. This approach allows for the collection of a significantly larger number of stem cells, with the possibility of cryopreservation for future use, thereby improving the overall outcomes of the therapy.
These two types of stem cells are used in conjunction with biological scaffolds, bioregenerative fibrine derived from the patient’s own blood to ensure local retention and enhance the desired effects. Additionally, growth factors from PRP and tissue activation in vitro are applied to further optimize the therapy.
Key Components:
- hcPRP – Activated autologous highly concentrated platelet growth factors
- BRF – Activated autologous bio-regenerative fibrin
- MSC – Mesenchymal stem cells
- HSC – Hematopoietic stem cells
- IVA – In Vitro Activated ovarian tissue
- Metabolic and Physical Optimization – Patient involvement in metabolic optimization and specialized training
Phases of the DSA Program:
The preparation phase involves thorough assessments of hormones, immune status, infections, metabolism, vitamins, microelements, and genetics. The procedure is performed under general anesthesia and involves a one- or two-day hospital stay. Blood is drawn to isolate PRP with BRF, and bone marrow biopsy is performed. Two types of stem cells, mesenchymal stem cells (mSC) and hematopoietic stem cells (hSC), are used in this procedure. The surplus of the mSC and hSC is optionally cryopreserved. A minimally invasive laparoscopic surgery is conducted to retrieve ovarian tissue, which is then processed with PRP and these stem cells. The treated tissue is re-transplanted using autologous BRF (bio-regenerative fibrin) scaffold. The operation concludes with the reconstruction of the ovarian surface.
SEGOVA New Generation (NG) is an all-encompassing medical biological program designed to rejuvenate and enhance ovarian function. This program features a streamlined procedure, a next-generation advancement of the original SEGOVA method, made possible by advanced operative techniques in tissue retransplantation and the use of innovative scaffolds. SEGOVA NG implies a shortened procedure (only one to two days in the hospital) and a more precise visual control of tissue and stem cell retransplantation procedures.
Key Components:
- hcPRP – activated autologous highly concentrated platelet growth factors
- BRF – activated autologous bio-regenerative fibrin
- mSC –mesenchymal bone marrow stem cells
- IVA – In Vitro Activated ovarian tissue
- Metabolic and Physical Optimization – patient involvement in metabolic optimization and specialized training
Phases of the SEGOVA NG Program:
The preparation phase involves thorough assessments of hormones, immune status, infections, metabolism, vitamins, microelements, and genetics. The procedure is performed under general anesthesia and involves a one- or two-day hospital stay. Blood is drawn to isolate PRP with, and a bone marrow biopsy is performed to isolate and prepare mesenchymal stem cells (mSC). A minimally invasive laparoscopic surgery is conducted to retrieve ovarian tissue, which is then processed with PRP and mSC. The treated tissue is re-transplanted using autologous BRF (bio-regenerative fibrin) scaffold. The operation concludes with the reconstruction of the ovarian surface.
The SEGOVA Boosting Spectrum (SEGOVA BS) encompasses procedures designed to enhance and prolong the benefits of the SEGOVA program. SEGOVA BS is particularly recommended for patients who have shown a positive response to SEGOVA but have not yet achieved pregnancy, as well as for those whose positive outcomes from SEGOVA are beginning to wane. SEGOVA BS program include MASC therapy (Mobilized Apheresis derived Stem Cells Therapy) and TPE (Therapeutic Plasma Exchange).
Given the considerable individual variations in response to biological therapies, it is crucial to engage in continuous reproductive and endocrine monitoring following the procedure, alongside careful selection of the appropriate therapy.
Our main objective is to maximize every opportunity to obtain viable eggs and embryos. To this end, we have developed supportive therapies that, tailored to individual characteristics, could improve the chances of achieving one’s own offspring.
The procedure marks the beginning of our program. Afterward, our reproductive medical team closely monitors your progress for up to two years to ensure the best possible outcomes. During this follow-up period, you will share specific blood test results with our team and answer key questions at scheduled intervals to maintain thorough monitoring.
All programs include personalized physical training plans, optimization of supplement intake, monitoring of oxidative-reductive balance, and tailored nutritional guidance for at least 6 to 12 months, which is typically when we observe the full benefits of the procedure.