title: In vitro maturation of human oocytes in a follicle-mimicking three-dimensional coculture.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To verify the hypothesis that a three-dimensional, follicle-mimicking structure enhances in vitro maturation yields without hormonal supplementation in an in vitro maturation program.
  
  
  METHODS
  Feasibility study; 204 anonymous denuded germinal vesicles retrieved from gonadotropin-treated women were cultured for 48 hours without hormonal supplementation in microdrop culture or in a three-dimensional coculture with granulosa cells in a barium alginate membrane.
  
  
  METHODS
  An assisted reproduction center in Italy.
  
  
  METHODS
  One hundred twenty-two informed women.
  
  
  METHODS
  Germinal vesicles retrieved after ovarian stimulation were denuded and cultured without hormonal supplementation in microdrop culture or in a three-dimensional coculture with granulosa cells enclosed in the core of a barium alginate capsule.
  
  
  METHODS
  Oocyte maturation and morphological investigation of follicle-mimicking structures.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Statistically significantly higher oocyte maturation yields were obtained by using the three-dimensional coculture system enclosed in a barium alginate membrane (after 48 hours: coculture, 90.3%; microdrop, 52.0%; odds ratio, 8.51). Morphological investigation indicated that after 48 hours of coculture, the decumulated oocyte appeared to be surrounded by a pseudocumulus structure that lies on the inner surface of the alginate membrane and protrudes toward the capsule's lumen.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The maturation yield of cocultured oocytes is eightfold higher than that achieved with a microdrop maturation technique, making a higher number of gametes available for IVF programs. Stereomicroscopic morphological survey indicates a reassembly of granulosa cells surrounding oocyte zona, mimicking an antral cumulus oophorus.
authors.affiliation: Dipartimento di Chimica Farmaceutica, University of Pavia.
authors.forename: Maria Luisa
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Torre
authors.forename: Eleonora
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Munari
authors.forename: Elena
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Albani
authors.forename: Paolo E
authors.initials: PE
authors.lastname: Levi-Setti
authors.forename: Simona
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Villani
authors.forename: Massimo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Faustini
authors.forename: Ubaldo
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Conte
authors.forename: Daniele
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Vigo
mesh_terms: D032701:Biomimetics / Q000379:methods*; D002452:Cell Count; D018929:Cell Culture Techniques / Q000379:methods*; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D018920:Coculture Techniques / Q000379:methods*; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D009865:Oocytes / Q000166:cytology* / Q000502:physiology*; D006080:Ovarian Follicle / Q000166:cytology* / Q000254:growth & development*