title: Effect of Human Ovarian Tissue Vitrification/Warming on the Expression of Genes Related to Folliculogenesis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Ovarian tissue cryopreservation is an alternative strategy to preserve the fertility of women predicted to undergo premature ovarian failure. This study was designed to evaluate the expression of folliculogenesis-related genes, including factor in the germline alpha (FIGLA), growth differentiation factor-9 (GDF-9), follicle-stimulating hormone receptor (FSHR), and KIT LIGAND after vitrification/warming of human ovarian tissue.
  
  
  METHODS
  Human ovarian tissue samples were collected from five transsexual women. In the laboratory, the ovarian medullary part was removed by a surgical blade, and the cortical tissue was cut into small pieces. Some pieces were vitrified and warmed and the others were considered as non-vitrified group (control). Follicular normality was assessed with morphological observation by a light microscope, and the expression of FIGLA, KIT LIGAND, GDF-9,, and FSHR genes was examined using real-time RT-PCR in both the vitrified and non-vitrified groups.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Overall, 85% of the follicles preserved their normal morphologic feature after warming. The percentage of normal follicles and the expression of FIGLA, KIT LIGAND, GDF-9, and FSHR genes were similar in both vitrified and non-vitrified groups (P > 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Vitrification/warming of human ovarian tissue had no remarkable effect on the expression of folliculogenesis-related genes.
authors.affiliation: Dept. of Biology and Anatomical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Zahra
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Shams Mofarahe
authors.affiliation: Dept. of Biology and Anatomical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Marefat
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ghaffari Novin
authors.affiliation: Reproductive Health Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Mina
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Jafarabadi
authors.affiliation: Dept. of Anatomical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Mojdeh
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Salehnia
authors.affiliation: Dept. of Biology and Anatomical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Mohsen
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Noroozian
authors.affiliation: Biotechnology Group, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Alzahra University, Tehran , Iran.
authors.forename: Nassim
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Ghorbanmehr
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D051792:Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics; D015925:Cryopreservation / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D059247:Fertility Preservation / Q000379:methods*; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D055429:Growth Differentiation Factor 9 / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D006080:Ovarian Follicle / Q000166:cytology* / Q000502:physiology*; D011962:Receptors, FSH / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics; D019089:Stem Cell Factor / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics; D046509:Tissue Culture Techniques; D063106:Transgender Persons; D058989:Vitrification; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D051792:Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Proteins; D055429:Growth Differentiation Factor 9; D011962:Receptors, FSH; D019089:Stem Cell Factor; C539077:FIGLA protein, human; C525897:GDF9 protein, human
keywords: Gene expression; Humans; Vitrification