title: The human postmenopausal ovary as a tool for evaluation of cryopreservation protocols towards whole ovary cryopreservation.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Cryopreservation of a complete ovary may be a future method for fertility preservation in cancer patients. Difficulties exist in cryopreservation of the relatively large ovarian tissue mass. This study evaluates whether a human postmenopausal ovary can be used, as a complement to animal models, in studies of this research field.
  
  
  METHODS
  Postmenopausal human ovaries (n = 10) were isolated and flushed through ovarian arteries with either the cryoprotectant dimethylsulphoxide or Ringer-Acetate, followed by slow freezing. After thawing, production of androgens during in vitro perfusion and morphology (light/electron microscopy) were assessed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The dimethylsulphoxide-cryopreserved ovaries showed larger secretion of androgens during perfusion than Ringer Acetate-cryopreserved ovaries. Light microscopy showed well preserved morphology in both groups. Electron microscopy revealed normal appearance of stroma and vessels in the dimethylsulphoxide group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The study demonstrates the potential to use the postmenopausal human ovary for further studies aiming at optimizing cryopreservation protocols, with special reference to ovarian vascularity and stroma.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, SE-41345 Gothenburg, Sweden. milan.milenkovic@obgyn.gu.se
authors.forename: Milan
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Milenkovic
authors.forename: Manda
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gharemani
authors.forename: Anette
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bergh
authors.forename: Ann
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Wallin
authors.forename: Johan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Mölne
authors.forename: Elvedin
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Fazlagic
authors.forename: Eirik
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Eliassen
authors.forename: Jarl
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kahn
authors.forename: Mats
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Brännström
mesh_terms: D015925:Cryopreservation / Q000379:methods*; D003451:Cryoprotective Agents; D004121:Dimethyl Sulfoxide; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010053:Ovary / Q000502:physiology* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D017698:Postmenopause
chemical_list: D003451:Cryoprotective Agents; D004121:Dimethyl Sulfoxide