title: Follicular development, ovulation, and corpus luteum formation in cryopreserved human ovarian tissue after xenotransplantation.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess the competency of human frozen/thawed ovarian follicles matured in xenografts to form functioning corpora luteae after human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) administration.
  
  
  METHODS
  Prospective controlled animal study.
  
  
  METHODS
  University research laboratory.
  
  
  METHODS
  Three women (19, 28, and 36 years) who underwent oophorectomy.
  
  
  METHODS
  Nineteen female severe combined immunodeficient (SCID) mice.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cryopreserved human ovarian tissues were grafted into the s.c. space of bilaterally oophorectomized SCID mice. All the animals were stimulated with pregnant mare's serum gonadotropin (PMSG) for 4 weeks starting from 16 weeks after transplantation. Twelve animals were injected with hCG at the end of gonadotropin stimulation.
  
  
  METHODS
  [1] The rate of grafts with growing follicles, with antral follicles, and/or with corpora luteae. [2] The histologic assessment of follicles and corpora luteae. [3] The serum progesterone and estradiol level in animals with corpus luteum in the grafts.
  
  
  RESULTS
  [1] The rate of grafts with growing follicles and with corpora luteae was 33% to 100%, and 28% to 50%, respectively. [2] Corpora luteae in xenografts were all morphologically normal. [3] The progesterone levels were all above 3.0 ng/mL.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study showed that the cryopreserved human ovarian follicles can be matured to a stage at which they can form functioning corpora luteae in the host animal.
authors.affiliation: Division of Reproductive Endocrinology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA. medssk@attglobal.net
authors.forename: S Samuel
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Michael R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Soules
authors.forename: David E
authors.initials: DE
authors.lastname: Battaglia
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D003338:Corpus Luteum / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000473:pathology; D015925:Cryopreservation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D051379:Mice; D016513:Mice, SCID; D006080:Ovarian Follicle / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D010053:Ovary / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000637:transplantation*; D010060:Ovulation; D011374:Progesterone / Q000097:blood; D014183:Transplantation, Heterologous; D016042:Transplantation, Heterotopic
chemical_list: D011374:Progesterone