Immunohistochemical localization of growth factors after cryopreservation and 3 weeks' xenotransplantation of human ovarian tissue.
OBJECTIVE
To compare early follicular growth after fresh and frozen-thawed human ovarian tissue xenografting and to investigate whether expression of c-kit, kit ligand (KL), and growth differentiation factor-9 (GDF-9) is maintained after freezing and xenografting of human ovarian tissue.


METHODS
Prospective experimental study.


METHODS
Gynecology research unit in a university hospital.


METHODS
Ten nude (Swiss nu/nu) 6-week-old female mice.


METHODS
The ovarian biopsy samples were obtained from six women, aged 20 to 30 years. Fresh and frozen-thawed ovarian fragments intraperitoneally grafted into nude mice for 3 weeks.


METHODS
Histologic analysis and immunohistochemical evaluation of c-kit, KL, and GDF-9 expression before and after grafting.


RESULTS
The integrity and proportion of growing follicles increased similarly in both fresh (64%) and frozen-thawed (59%) xenografts compared with non-grafted tissue (fresh: 40%; frozen-thawed: 21%). Both C-kit and KL staining were detected in the oocytes and granulosa cells of preantral follicles, and GDF-9 expression was observed in the oocytes of preantral follicles in all groups.


CONCLUSIONS
Freezing does not appear to have a major impact on early follicular growth after transplantation. This study shows, for the first time, expression of c-kit, KL, and GDF-9 in human preantral follicles after ovarian tissue cryopreservation and xenotransplantation.
David
Anu
A
Department of Gynecology, Université Catholique de Louvain, Institut de Recherche Expérimentale et Clinique, Brussels, Belgium.
Dolmans
Marie-Madeleine
MM
Van Langendonckt
Anne
A
Donnez
Jacques
J
Amorim
Christiani Andrade
CA
D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D015925:Cryopreservation / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D051379:Mice; D008819:Mice, Nude; D006080:Ovarian Follicle / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors; D014183:Transplantation, Heterologous / Q000379:methods*; D055815:Young Adult
D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins