First transplantation of isolated murine follicles in alginate.
OBJECTIVE
Our aim is to develop an artificial ovary allowing survival and growth of isolated follicles and ovarian cells, to restore fertility in women diagnosed with pathologies at high risk of ovarian involvement.


METHODS
For this, alginate beads containing isolated preantral follicles and ovarian cells were autografted to immunocompetent mice. One week after grafting, the beads were invaded by proliferating murine cells (12.1%) and capillaries.


RESULTS
The recovery rate of follicles per graft ranged from 0% to 35.5%. Of the analyzed follicles, 77% were Ki67-positive and 81%, TUNEL-negative. Three antral follicles were also identified, evidencing their ability to grow in the matrix.


CONCLUSIONS
Our results suggest that an artificial ovary is now conceivable, opening new perspectives to restore fertility in women.
Pôle de Recherche en Gynécologie, Institut de Recherche Expérimentale et Clinique, Université Catholique de Louvain, 1200 Brussels, Belgium.
Julie
J
Vanacker
Marie-Madeleine
MM
Dolmans
Valérie
V
Luyckx
Jacques
J
Donnez
Christiani A
CA
Amorim
D000464:Alginates / Q000737:chemistry; D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis; D001672:Biocompatible Materials / Q000737:chemistry; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D002470:Cell Survival; D003094:Collagen / Q000737:chemistry; D004338:Drug Combinations; D005260:Female; D059247:Fertility Preservation / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D020723:Glucuronic Acid / Q000737:chemistry; D006603:Hexuronic Acids / Q000737:chemistry; D007797:Laminin / Q000737:chemistry; D017493:Leukocyte Common Antigens / Q000378:metabolism; D051379:Mice; D008815:Mice, Inbred Strains; D006080:Ovarian Follicle / Q000254:growth & development / Q000637:transplantation*; D011509:Proteoglycans / Q000737:chemistry
D000464:Alginates; D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D004338:Drug Combinations; D006603:Hexuronic Acids; D007797:Laminin; D011509:Proteoglycans; C059485:matrigel; D020723:Glucuronic Acid; D003094:Collagen; D017493:Leukocyte Common Antigens; C516770:Ptprc protein, mouse
alginate; artificial ovary; cancer; degradation; isolated preantral follicles; ovarian cells