Effect of sphingosine-1-phosphate supplementation on follicular integrity of vitrified-warmed mouse ovarian grafts.
OBJECTIVE
To investigates the effect of sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) supplementation on follicular integrity and apoptosis in vitrified-warmed mouse ovarian grafts.


METHODS
Ovaries from 4-week-aged ICR mice were vitrified using a vitrification solution with or without 2 μM S1P. After warming, follicular normality was assessed by histological analysis and TUNEL assay. A part of ovaries vitrified with or without 2 μM S1P was transplanted, and 2 weeks later, gross and microscopic follicular morphology was assessed.


RESULTS
During vitrification and warming, inclusion of 2 μM S1P into the vitrification solution significantly raised the rate of morphologically intact follicles compared to controls (36.6% vs. 30.8%, p=0.047). This protective effect was profound especially in primordial follicles (45.5% vs. 34.6%, p=0.034). After transplantation of vitrified-warmed ovaries, the morphological integrity of primordial follicles was superior in the S1P-treated group (55.0% vs. 39.4%, p=0.035). The rates of non-apoptotic follicles (TUNEL-negative) were similar in the two groups in either non-transplanted or transplanted ovaries.


CONCLUSIONS
Inclusion of S1P in the vitrification solution during transplantation of vitrified-warmed ovary had a beneficial effect on preservation of the primordial follicular pool.
Jee
Byung Chul
BC
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Bundang, Seongnam, Gyeonggi, Republic of Korea.
Lee
Jung Ryeol
JR
Youm
Hyewon
H
Suh
Chang Suk
CS
Kim
Seok Hyun
SH
Moon
Shin Yong
SY
D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects; D015925:Cryopreservation / Q000379:methods*; D003451:Cryoprotective Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005260:Female; D008246:Lysophospholipids / Q000494:pharmacology*; D051379:Mice; D008813:Mice, Inbred ICR; D006080:Ovarian Follicle / Q000187:drug effects*; D010053:Ovary / Q000637:transplantation*; D013110:Sphingosine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000494:pharmacology; D058989:Vitrification
D003451:Cryoprotective Agents; D008246:Lysophospholipids; C060506:sphingosine 1-phosphate; D013110:Sphingosine