Follicular growth and estradiol follow-up after subcutaneous xenografting of fresh and cryopreserved human ovarian tissue.
OBJECTIVE
To assess ovarian cortex surrounding benign ovarian cysts after cryopreservation and grafting to severe combined immunodeficient (SCID) mice.


METHODS
Animal study.


METHODS
Academic research laboratories.


METHODS
Ovarian tissue obtained from 15 patients.


METHODS
Grafting of fresh and frozen/thawed ovarian tissue into the subcutaneous space of 22 SCID mice for 80 days.


METHODS
Histologic analysis before and after grafting. Serum E(2) measured before (after 37 days of grafting) and after FSH/LH supplementation (end of the study).


RESULTS
After grafting, follicular density had decreased for frozen/thawed tissue in all cases. The follicular distribution was modified in fresh tissue: Primordial follicles proportion was reduced (79% vs. 17%), whereas the primary and secondary ones were increased (21% vs. 57% and 0% vs. 23%, respectively). The same tendency was observed in frozen/thawed tissue. Significant E(2) secretion was obtained before and after FSH/LH supplementation in castrated mice, grafted with either fresh or frozen/thawed tissue.


CONCLUSIONS
Fresh and cryopreserved ovarian cortex surrounding benign ovarian cysts grafted into the subcutaneous space of SCID mice is able to sustain ovarian tissue function, although follicular growth appears lower with frozen/thawed tissue.
Schubert
Benoit
B
Department of Biology of Development and Reproduction-CECOS, CHU Clermont-Ferrand, Clermont-Ferrand, France. benoit.schubert@psl.aphp.fr
Canis
Michel
M
Darcha
Claude
C
Artonne
Christine
C
Smitz
Johan
J
Grizard
Genevieve
G
D000818:Animals; D015925:Cryopreservation; D004958:Estradiol / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D051379:Mice; D016513:Mice, SCID; D010048:Ovarian Cysts / Q000601:surgery; D006080:Ovarian Follicle / Q000166:cytology*; D010053:Ovary / Q000166:cytology / Q000473:pathology / Q000502:physiology / Q000637:transplantation*; D020858:Tissue and Organ Harvesting / Q000379:methods; D014183:Transplantation, Heterologous
D004958:Estradiol