A Femme cell is a type of stem cell. Stem cells can serve as the "mother cells" of many other cell types in the human body.

The Femme cell comes from a woman's endometrium, or lining of the uterus, which is part of the menstrual fluid naturally shed during each menstrual cycle.

While most blood stem cells reside in the bone marrow, a very small number are present in the bloodstream and the quantity is usually not sufficient to support therapeutic application. In contrast, a woman's menstrual blood includes tissue shed from the endometrial lining of the uterus which potentially contains hundreds of millions of rich and abundant stem cells that can possibly be procured, processed, isolated, and cryopreserved. Ultimately, these stem cells may potentially be differentiated into many other cell types, which could possibly serve as a source for a wide range of regenerative therapies ranging from cardiac disease to diabetes, to anti-aging and wellness applications.

Menstrual blood contains unique stem cells that express multipotent markers of both adult and embryonic stem cells. These menstrual cells multiply quickly and can differentiate into other types of cells including heart, nerve, bone, cartilage and fat, according to early research. This is the first time researchers have found an adult stem cell that is recurring and readily accessible; can multiply rapidly and has demonstrated capability to differentiate into many other cell types. The Femme menstrual stem cell can be easily harvested in a affordable, painless and non-invasive manner, as compared to other stem cell sources such as bone marrow, fat or adult peripheral blood.

The Femme cell has been shown to be an adult stem cell, but contains many of the same properties associated with both embryonic stem cells and mesenchymal stem cells, such as those found in bone marrow. The source of the Femme stem cell, menstrual fluid, is considered to be waste product and is routinely discarded as such. Unlike cord blood stem cells or stem cells from bone marrow for example, the Femme menstrual stem cell can rapidly expand its numbers in cell culture, as well as differentiate into many other cell types. Furthermore, the Femme cell can be collected as often as a woman has her menstrual period, making the collection of a large number of stem cells possible over time.

Since the discovery of the menstrual stem cell, LifeCell in association with Cryo-Cell has made major advances in the study of this unique stem cell and in the commercialization of processes associated with its procurement, processing, isolation and cryopreservation. For example, Cryo-Cell collaborated with Dr. Amit N. Patel, Director of Cardiac Stem Cell Therapies at the McGowan Institute, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, along with other independent research laboratories, to study these menstrual stem cells, which have demonstrated the capability in vitro to differentiate into neural, cardiac, bone, cartilage, and adipose cells, and possibly other cell types. Dr. Patel's preliminary findings were presented on October 21, 2007 at TCT 2007, the annual scientific symposia of Transcatheter Cardiovascular Therapeutics, in a seminar entitled "Novel Cell Sources for Myocyte Repair and Replacement". There are also numerous published studies discussing stem cells with many of the same properties of C'elle cells, although these referenced stem cells are often not nearly as prolific, easy to differentiate, harvest or as non-controversial, as the menstrual stem cell.

At present, there are no approved therapies using stem cells for diseases other than those of the blood and immune systems. However, statistics from the National Institute of Health (NIH) suggest that there may be over 700 clinical trials underway related to adult stem cells, with over 200 related to applications (use of the donor's stem cells for their own treatment), covering a broad spectrum of possible disease treatments.

Realistically, it may take several years before there are widely available clinical therapies using the Femme stem cell. We anticipate, however, that there may possibly be intensive global research and development initiatives into the therapeutic uses of the Femme cell undertaken on a number of potential therapeutic fronts. The use of these unique menstrual stem cells in pre-clinical studies for human cardiovascular, diabetes and neurodegenerative regenerative therapies, for example, is currently under evaluation. Due to the variable and unknown factors involved in research involving human disease and the biological nature of stem cells, it is not possible at this time to say with certainty, when the first therapeutic use of the Femme cell will occur.

The Femme cell is collected during a woman's menstrual period by using a medical-grade silicone menstrual cup that is included in the Femme collection kit. The menstrual cup is used in place of a tampon or sanitary napkin to collect samples of the menstrual fluid.

The menstrual cup has been used by women since the 1930's. The menstrual cup used in the Femme collection kit, has never been involved with an adverse event such as toxic shock syndrome (TSS) during its many years on the market.

Infectious disease testing of cells for cryogenic storage and future therapeutic use is required by federal regulation and by several states. The collected fluid will be tested for the presence of infectious disease agents such as HIV (AIDS) and the Hepatitis B virus. Should your specimen test positive for any infectious disease, you will be notified personally and privately, and you will be directed to see your healthcare provider for confirmatory blood testing. We may also be required to report positive infectious disease results to state health authorities.

The specimens should be collected during the heaviest flow of your menstrual period. For best results, please carefully follow instructions for optimal hygiene prior to, during and upon completion of the Femme collection process.

The menstrual cup should be retained for 2-3 hours. The menstrual fluid that is collected--usually is about two teaspoons.

The flow of menstrual fluid varies from day to day during the menstrual period, and is not constant. For best results, your menstrual flow should be collected on the heaviest day of your menstrual cycle. Generally, a somewhat smaller specimen may be used. Our laboratory will inform you upon the receipt and processing of the specimen, if sufficient C'elle cells were present.

The specimen collection tube should be kept at room temperature until use. The cooling packs that are included with the kit, however, should be placed in your freezer as soon as you receive your kit and until your specimens are ready to be shipped. Once the specimen is collected, return the specimen to LifeCell using the original collection kit box as well as the cooling packs, which are to be kept in the freezer until the specimens have been sent. Please ensure that the collection tube is NEVER frozen.

For best results, the collected Femme specimens should arrive at LifeCell's laboratory within 48 hours of collection. We provide a convenient, pre-paid courier bill to return the specimens to our facility.

Once your Femme specimen is received, they are processed by our laboratory. Processing generally will be completed within about 48 hours from the time of receipt after which you will receive an intimation from the lab mentioning that your specimen was stored as well as the cumulative number of viable stem cells you have collected and cryopreserved.

If your specimen cannot be successfully processed, LifeCell may send you another collection kit at no additional charge. However, processing fees for Femme are non-refundable.

Stem cells have been cryogenically stored for more than 15 years, and viability studies have demonstrated no deterioration. It is therefore reasonable to expect that under carefully monitored cryogenic conditions, such as those maintained at the lifeCell storage facility; your Femme menstrual stem cells will remain viable and ready for use over several years, and possibly indefinitely.

Absolutely! One of the distinctive features of the Femme cell versus other types of stem cells is the ability for a woman to collect them for preservation every time she has a menstrual period. LifeCell offers special pricing plans for women who would like to collect more than one Femme specimen. Since it is unknown as to how many stem cells may be required for various therapies that we anticipate may possibly emerge in the future, and also because the Femme menstrual stem cells may potentially be used to treat other family members, women should consider preserving their menstrual stem cells as often as they are able to, while they are healthy and this precious source of their stem cells is available.

Do not procrastinate, do it now. Be among the first to subscribe to this revolutionary new service that may possibly benefit you or a family member in the future. Subscribing to a Femme processing plan couldn't be easier. Simply go to www.lifecellinternational.com, click on "Subscribe Now," and register. You will submit your personal information along with a major credit card number on our secure server. Indicate on the pop-up calendar when you would like your collection kit(s) to arrive, and LifeCell does the rest! Your kit(s) will arrive at your address via Blue Dart Express, all ready for you to collect your C'elle stem cells.

As the human body ages each month, the robustness and functionality of our stem cells deteriorates over time. For the first time ever, women who want to invest in their individual and family's future health can take action today by subscribing to the revolutionary Femme service while they are in optimal health and have access to their menstrual stem cells. Femme offers women who menstruate with the opportunity to potentially protect themselves and possibly even other family members, against a broad possible spectrum of diseases for which regenerative medicine therapies may be developed in the future. If there are medical conditions that may affect you or possibly other family members, you should act today to subscribe to the Femme service--it's easy, convenient, and this unique investment in your personal and family's healthcare may potentially return significant dividends in the future! No matter what your age, the time for Femme is today!

Preliminary research related to the immunological profile of these unique Femme menstrual stem cells suggest that in addition to the donor, these stem cells may also potentially be used to possibly benefit other family members who are genetically related to the donor, such as perhaps a parent, sibling or child. Of course, the Femme stem cells you collect are an exact match for the donor and therefore may potentially be used in a number of future therapies that may benefit the individual donor.

You can log in to our secure server at www.lifecellfemme.com and receive your results online. LifeCell will also send you an official certificate by courier, which will arrive 4 weeks after your specimen is received, indicating the successful results of your Femme processing.

Femme is perhaps the most special and meaningful gift anyone could ever give or receive in their lifetime! To gift Femme, simply go to the website click on "Subscribe Now," and click on "Gift Femme". You will be asked to enter the gift recipient's name and address information. Credit card payment for a Femme gift subscription is conveniently accepted online and you will be able to e-mail or print a Femme gift certificate for someone special in your life.

Once you've decided to subscribe and register to Femme at www.lifecellfemme.com you will be asked to indicate the date on which you would like to begin receiving your kit-- up to two days from the current date. If your periods are irregular, you can still receive your kit during your period using this method. Collect it whenever you get your periods.

Updates on Femme Research and Development will be posted regularly on the www.celle.com website.

LifeCell is the most accredited facility in the private cord blood stem cell processing industry. LifeCell is a Good Manufacturing Practice/Good Tissue Practice Laboratory (cGMP/cGTP) facility with accreditations that include AABB (formerly the American Association of Blood Banks), ISO 9001.

By all means! Your doctor is interested in your current and future health, and knowing that you have decided to collect and preserve your Femme stem cells will allow her or him to monitor advances in therapies and to discuss these with you as needed.

There are no known health risks associated with the collection of the specimens.

If you believe you have improperly collected your specimen, please contact LifeCell's Customer Service for help.

Yes. We will place a credit on your account for the Femme plan purchase price. You would be responsible for the balance of the U-Cord fee after the cord blood sample has been tested, processed and stored.