title: Formulation and stability evaluation of 3D alginate beads potentially useful for cumulus-oocyte complexes culture.
abstract: Ovarian follicle encapsulation in synthetic or natural matrixes based on biopolymers is potentially a promising approach to in vitro maturation (IVM) process, since it maintains follicle 3D organisation by preventing its flattening and consequent disruption of gap junctions, preserving the functional relationship between oocyte and companion follicle cells. The aim of the work was to optimise physico-chemical parameters of alginate microcapsules for perspective IVM under 3D environments. On this purpose alginate and cross-linking agent concentrations were investigated. Alginate concentration between 0.75% and 0.125% w/w and Mg(2+), Ba(2+), Ca(2+ )at concentration between 100 and 20 mM were tested. Follicle encapsulation was obtained by on purpose modified diffusion setting gelation technique, and evaluated together with beads, chemical and mechanical stability in standard and stressing conditions. Beads permeability was tested towards albumin, fetuin, pyruvate, glucose, pullulan. Results demonstrated that 0.25% alginate cross-linked in 100 mM CaCl2 beads is suitable to follicle encapsulation.
authors.affiliation: a Department of Drug Sciences , University of Pavia , Pavia , Italy ;|b Centre of Tissue Engineering, University of Pavia , Pavia , Italy ;
authors.forename: Rossella
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Dorati
authors.affiliation: a Department of Drug Sciences , University of Pavia , Pavia , Italy ;|b Centre of Tissue Engineering, University of Pavia , Pavia , Italy ;
authors.forename: Ida
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Genta
authors.affiliation: a Department of Drug Sciences , University of Pavia , Pavia , Italy ;|c Laboratorio Di Biologia Dello Sviluppo, Department of Biology and Biotechnology Lazzaro Spallanzani , University of Pavia , Pavia , Italy ;
authors.forename: Michela
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ferrari
authors.affiliation: c Laboratorio Di Biologia Dello Sviluppo, Department of Biology and Biotechnology Lazzaro Spallanzani , University of Pavia , Pavia , Italy ;
authors.forename: Giulia
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Vigone
authors.affiliation: c Laboratorio Di Biologia Dello Sviluppo, Department of Biology and Biotechnology Lazzaro Spallanzani , University of Pavia , Pavia , Italy ;
authors.forename: Valeria
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Merico
authors.affiliation: b Centre of Tissue Engineering, University of Pavia , Pavia , Italy ;|c Laboratorio Di Biologia Dello Sviluppo, Department of Biology and Biotechnology Lazzaro Spallanzani , University of Pavia , Pavia , Italy ;
authors.forename: Silvia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Garagna
authors.affiliation: d Sezione Di Anatomia, Istologia Ed Embriologia, Dipartimento Di Scienze Biomediche, Biotecnologiche E Traslazionali (S.Bi.Bi.T.) , University of Parma , Parma , Italy.
authors.forename: Maurizio
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Zuccotti
authors.affiliation: a Department of Drug Sciences , University of Pavia , Pavia , Italy ;|b Centre of Tissue Engineering, University of Pavia , Pavia , Italy ;
authors.forename: Bice
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Conti
mesh_terms: D000464:Alginates / Q000737:chemistry*; D000818:Animals; D001464:Barium / Q000737:chemistry; D002118:Calcium / Q000737:chemistry; D002214:Capsules / Q000737:chemistry; D002413:Cations, Divalent / Q000737:chemistry; D002470:Cell Survival; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D018914:Cells, Immobilized / Q000166:cytology; D003432:Cross-Linking Reagents / Q000737:chemistry*; D054885:Cumulus Cells / Q000166:cytology*; D004339:Drug Compounding / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D005782:Gels / Q000737:chemistry; D020723:Glucuronic Acid / Q000737:chemistry; D006603:Hexuronic Acids / Q000737:chemistry; D008274:Magnesium / Q000737:chemistry; D051379:Mice; D009865:Oocytes / Q000166:cytology*; D010539:Permeability
chemical_list: D000464:Alginates; D002214:Capsules; D002413:Cations, Divalent; D003432:Cross-Linking Reagents; D005782:Gels; D006603:Hexuronic Acids; D001464:Barium; D020723:Glucuronic Acid; D008274:Magnesium; D002118:Calcium
keywords: Biomaterials; alginate; biotechnology; cell encapsulation; cross-linking; mechanical properties