Culture of preantral follicles in poly(ethylene) glycol-based, three-dimensional hydrogel: a relationship between swelling ratio and follicular developments.
This study was undertaken to examine how the softness of poly(ethylene) glycol (PEG)-based hydrogels, creating a three-dimensional (3D) microenvironment, influences the in vitro growth of mouse ovarian follicles. Early secondary, preantral follicles of 2 week-old mice were cultured in a crosslinked four-arm PEG hydrogel. The hydrogel swelling ratio, which relates to softness, was modified within the range 25.7-15.5 by increasing the reactive PEG concentration in the precursor solution from 5% to 15% w/v, but it did not influence follicular growth to form the pseudoantrum (60-80%; p = 0.76). Significant (p < 0.04) model effects, however, were detected in the maturation and developmental competence of the follicle-derived oocytes. A swelling ratio of > 21.4 yielded better oocyte maturation than other levels, while the highest competence to develop pronuclear and blastocyst formation was detected at 20.6. In conclusion, gel softness, as reflected in swelling ratio, was one of the essential factors for supporting folliculogenesis in vivo within a hydrogel-based, 3D microenvironment.
Laboratoryof Stem Cell and Bioevaluation, Major in Biomodulation, Seoul National University, Republic of Korea; Department of Agricultural Biotechnology, Seoul National University, Republic of Korea.
Jong Il
JI
Ahn
Gil Ah
GA
Kim
Hyo Suk
HS
Kwon
Ji Yeon
JY
Ahn
Jeffrey A
JA
Hubbell
Yong Sang
YS
Song
Seung Tae
ST
Lee
Jeong Mook
JM
Lim
D000818:Animals; D060833:Cellular Microenvironment; D005260:Female; D020100:Hydrogels / Q000494:pharmacology*; D051379:Mice; D009865:Oocytes / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*; D009924:Organ Culture Techniques; D006080:Ovarian Follicle / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols / Q000494:pharmacology*
D020100:Hydrogels; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols; C000595209:polyethylene glycol 1000
PEG-based hydrogel; mouse; preantral follicle; swelling ratio; three dimensional culture