The document discusses menstrual blood banking, which is the process of collecting and storing menstrual blood stem cells. Menstrual blood contains a large number of self-renewing stem cells that can differentiate into various body cell types. These stem cells have properties similar to bone marrow and embryonic stem cells. The stem cells from menstrual blood have a 100 times higher success rate than bone marrow stem cells. Menstrual blood banking was launched in 2007 in the US and 2011 in India. The process involves women collecting their menstrual blood at home using a menstrual cup and mailing it to a bank for stem cell processing and cryogenic storage.

1. Menstrual BloodMenstrual Blood
BankingBanking
Mrs. Resmi PraveenMrs. Resmi Praveen
Asst. ProfessorAsst. Professor

2. Till today the menstrual blood that is released by femalesTill today the menstrual blood that is released by females
every month is being discarded as the unhygienic waste.every month is being discarded as the unhygienic waste.
But, does anyone know that the menstrual blood is the bankBut, does anyone know that the menstrual blood is the bank
of self-renewing stem cells that multiply in haste. Yes this isof self-renewing stem cells that multiply in haste. Yes this is
true that this discarded unhygienic waste contains a largetrue that this discarded unhygienic waste contains a large
amount of self-renewing cells that can make a distinctionamount of self-renewing cells that can make a distinction
into various other body cells which reveals a greatinto various other body cells which reveals a great
prospective for the cell therapyprospective for the cell therapy

3. DefinitionDefinition
Menstrual blood banking is a process ofMenstrual blood banking is a process of
banking of menstrual blood for the purpose ofbanking of menstrual blood for the purpose of
cell therapy.cell therapy.

4. LaunchingLaunching
In WorldIn World
 20072007
 By an American Based Company Cryo CellBy an American Based Company Cryo Cell
In India :In India :
 March 8 2011March 8 2011
 By Life Cell InternationalBy Life Cell International

5. How it is useful?How it is useful?
Every month during a women’s menstrual period the uterine lining-Every month during a women’s menstrual period the uterine lining-
EndometriumEndometrium is shed along with the extra blood and tissues. Thisis shed along with the extra blood and tissues. This
lining of the uterus contains large no.of mesenchymal stem cells andlining of the uterus contains large no.of mesenchymal stem cells and
several thousand fold high concentration of stem cell growth factors.several thousand fold high concentration of stem cell growth factors.
These cell from the endometrium are unique because they have manyThese cell from the endometrium are unique because they have many
properties and characteristics similar to both bone marrow andproperties and characteristics similar to both bone marrow and
embryonic stem cell.embryonic stem cell.

6. The stem cells multiply rapidly and can grow intoThe stem cells multiply rapidly and can grow into
other types of cells and develop intoother types of cells and develop into neural,neural,
cardiac, cartilage tissue as well as fat andcardiac, cartilage tissue as well as fat and
bone.bone.

7. The stem cells in the menstrual blood have aThe stem cells in the menstrual blood have a
success rate 100 times higher than the 0.2-success rate 100 times higher than the 0.2-
0.3% for stem cells taken from human bone0.3% for stem cells taken from human bone
marrowmarrow

8. GoalGoal
TheThe main goal of Mesenchymal Cell Therapymain goal of Mesenchymal Cell Therapy
isis
 to treat diseases of non-hematopoietic tissuesto treat diseases of non-hematopoietic tissues
in an analogous fashion to treating leukemiain an analogous fashion to treating leukemia
with hematopoietic stem cell transplantationwith hematopoietic stem cell transplantation

9. Future goals are:Future goals are:
Diagnose or treat diseases likeDiagnose or treat diseases like
 Alzeimer’s diseaseAlzeimer’s disease
 AtherosclerosisAtherosclerosis
 Diabetes mellitusDiabetes mellitus
 Heart diseasesHeart diseases
 Inflammatory bowel diseasesInflammatory bowel diseases
 Parkinson’s diseasesParkinson’s diseases
 OsteoarthritisOsteoarthritis
 Rhematoid Arthritis etcRhematoid Arthritis etc

10. AdvantagesAdvantages
 Higher potential compared to similar cells from theHigher potential compared to similar cells from the
bone marrowbone marrow
 Higher proliferative properties-allows to multiplyHigher proliferative properties-allows to multiply
for longer duration without damages to DNA andfor longer duration without damages to DNA and
hence larger no. can be obtainedhence larger no. can be obtained
 Multiple dosages-obtain unlimited numbers ofMultiple dosages-obtain unlimited numbers of
purified mesenchymal stem cells for therapeuticpurified mesenchymal stem cells for therapeutic

11. Continues….Continues….
 Painless and harmlessPainless and harmless
 Simple, easy & convenient method ofSimple, easy & convenient method of
collectioncollection
 High patient safetyHigh patient safety
 No complication / toxicity /adverse effectNo complication / toxicity /adverse effect
 Less preservation rates / affordableLess preservation rates / affordable
 Non invasive procedureNon invasive procedure
 Reduce the problem of immune rejectionReduce the problem of immune rejection

12. Collection processCollection process
--The women is sent a discreet collection kit comprising ofThe women is sent a discreet collection kit comprising of
menstrual cup, collection tubes etcmenstrual cup, collection tubes etc
-The collection can be done at the privacy and-The collection can be done at the privacy and
convenience of home using a menstrual cup.convenience of home using a menstrual cup.
-A conical cup made of medical grade silicone is inserted-A conical cup made of medical grade silicone is inserted
into the vagina, much as a tampon is on a women’sinto the vagina, much as a tampon is on a women’s
heaviest flow day.heaviest flow day.

13. --The cup remains in place for up to three hours,The cup remains in place for up to three hours,
collecting between 10 to 20 ml of blood, which iscollecting between 10 to 20 ml of blood, which is
poured into a container in a collection kitpoured into a container in a collection kit
-Its then mailed back to the bank for processing and-Its then mailed back to the bank for processing and
storingstoring

14. StorageStorage
 After processing the stem cell are harvestedAfter processing the stem cell are harvested
and menstrual stem cells are frozen in liquidand menstrual stem cells are frozen in liquid
nitrogen storage container for cryogenicnitrogen storage container for cryogenic
preservation atpreservation at subzero (-196subzero (-19600
C).C).
 This procedure will enable the stem cells toThis procedure will enable the stem cells to
retain its potency and viability for indefiniteretain its potency and viability for indefinite
period of time.period of time.

15. ConclusionConclusion
““Menstrual blood bank offers hope ofMenstrual blood bank offers hope of
new cure”new cure”

16. ThankYouThankYou