title: Fetal calf serum versus human serum: ultrastructural evaluation of protein support influence on human ovarian tissue cryopreservation.
abstract: The aim of this study was to examine the effect of the different protein supports in the cryopreservation solution on improving human ovarian tissue preservation after frozen-thawed procedures. Biopsies of ovarian cortical tissue were obtained from 14 subjects. All specimens were cryopreserved using a slow freezing/rapid thawing method in a solution consisting of propanediol and sucrose in different proportions of 3 protein supports: 30% human serum (HS) (solution A), 20% HS (solution B), or 20% fetal calf serum (solution C). After thawing, 191 follicles and a total of 70 samples were analyzed using transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The post-thaw preservation rate of the follicles in solution A was significantly higher with respect to solution C (p < 0.05). Unlike the follicles, the stromal cell morphology was not affected by any of the solutions investigated. By comparing stromal morphology and the patient age, it was found that HS better preserved the tissue in patients over 20 years of age with respect to younger ones, which showed a wider variability in ovarian preservation. TEM evaluation showed that 30% HS is more suitable for human ovarian tissue cryopreservation, and research should be focused on defining cryopreservation protocols specific to young patients.
authors.affiliation: Human Reproductive Medicine Unit, Policlinico S. Orsola-Malpighi, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy. raffaella.fabbri@unibo.it
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Fabbri
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Pasquinelli
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Bracone
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Orrico
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Paradisi
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Seraccioli
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Venturoli
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D001769:Blood; D002417:Cattle / Q000196:embryology*; D002648:Child; D015925:Cryopreservation; D005260:Female; D005312:Fetal Blood; D006801:Humans; D019188:Organ Preservation Solutions / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology; D009994:Osmolar Concentration; D006080:Ovarian Follicle / Q000648:ultrastructure; D010053:Ovary / Q000187:drug effects / Q000648:ultrastructure*
chemical_list: D019188:Organ Preservation Solutions