In vitro growth and maturation as well as fertilization of mouse preantral oocytes from vitrified ovaries.
OBJECTIVE
To examine the capacity for fertilization and development of preantral oocytes in oocyte-granulosa cell complexes (OGC) originating from vitrified ovaries.


METHODS
Experimental animal study.


METHODS
University-based research laboratory.


METHODS
Normal (C57BL/6xDBA2) F1 mice in a laboratory environment.


METHODS
Vitrification of mouse ovaries using polyester sheets as a storage device; collection of OGC by enzymatic treatment; in vitro growth (IVG), in vitro maturation (IVM), and in vitro fertilization (IVF).


METHODS
We performed histologic analysis of vitrified and warmed ovaries, and measured the successful rate in IVG, IVM, and IVF of oocytes in the OGC collected from the ovaries.


RESULTS
The cortical region of ovaries maintained good morphologic structure after vitrification and warming. Upon IVG and IVM, 75.9% of oocytes in OGC matured to the metaphase II (MII) stage. The fertilization rate of these oocytes was 57.5% as compared with 69.5% for fresh ovaries.


CONCLUSIONS
The vitrification method used was effective for storage of ovaries. The oocytes enclosed in preantral follicles from the ovaries preserved capacity for fertilization and development to preimplantation embryos.
Hasegawa
Akiko
A
Laboratory of Developmental Biology and Reproduction, Institute for Advanced Medical Sciences, Hyogo College of Medicine, 1-1 Mukogawa-cho, Nishinomiya, Japan 663-8501.
Hamada
Yukari
Y
Mehandjiev
Tzvetozar
T
Koyama
Koji
K
D000818:Animals; D002455:Cell Division; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D016922:Cellular Senescence; D002678:Chimera; D005260:Female; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro; D005615:Freezing; D006107:Granulosa Cells / Q000166:cytology; D006358:Hot Temperature; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D008811:Mice, Inbred DBA; D009865:Oocytes / Q000166:cytology* / Q000502:physiology*; D010053:Ovary / Q000166:cytology*