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In vitro maturation of oocytes via the pre-fabricated self-assembled artificial human ovary

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Journal of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Purpose

Create a 3-Dimensional artificial human ovary to mature human oocytes.

Methods

Theca and granulosa cells were isolated from antral follicles of reproductive-aged women, seeded into micro-molded gels and self-assembled into complex 3D microtissues. Immunohistochemistry and live-dead staining confirmed theca cell identity and cellular viability at one week respectively. Placement of granulosa cell spheroids or cumulus-oocyte complexes into theca cell honeycomb openings resulted in creation of an artificial human ovary. Oocytes from this construct were assessed for polar body extrusion.

Results

Theca and granulosa cells self-assembled into complex microtissues, remaining viable for one week. At 72 h after artificial human ovary construction, theca cells completely surrounded the granulosa spheroids or COCs without stromal invasion or disruption. Polar body extrusion occurred in one of three COCs assessed.

Conclusions

An artifical human ovary can be created with self-assembled human theca and granulosa cell microtissues, and used for IVM and future oocyte toxicology studies.

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Acknowledgements

This research was supported by Research Funds from the Division of Reproductive Endocrinology & Infertility at the Women & Infants’ Hospital of Rhode Island, and by a grant from the Rhode Island Science and Technology Council.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Reproductive Endocrinology & Infertility, Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Women & Infants’ Hospital, Alpert Medical School, Brown University, Providence, RI, 02905, USA

    Stephan P. Krotz, Jared C. Robins & Sandra Carson

  2. Program in Women’s Oncology, Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Women & Infants’ Hospital, Alpert Medical School, Brown University, Providence, RI, 02905, USA

    Richard Moore

  3. Department of Pathology, Women & Infants’ Hospital, Alpert Medical School, Brown University, Providence, RI, 02905, USA

    Margaret M. Steinhoff

  4. Department of Molecular Pharmacology, Physiology & Biotechnology, Center for Biomedical Engineering, Brown University, Providence, RI, 02912, USA

    Toni-Marie Ferruccio & Jeffrey R. Morgan

Authors
  1. Stephan P. Krotz
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  2. Jared C. Robins
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  3. Toni-Marie Ferruccio
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  4. Richard Moore
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  5. Margaret M. Steinhoff
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  6. Jeffrey R. Morgan
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  7. Sandra Carson
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Stephan P. Krotz.

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Capsule

An artificial human ovary can be created using self-assembled 3-dimensional theca & granulosa cell constructs to mature human oocytes in vitro

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Krotz, S.P., Robins, J.C., Ferruccio, TM. et al. In vitro maturation of oocytes via the pre-fabricated self-assembled artificial human ovary. J Assist Reprod Genet 27, 743–750 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10815-010-9468-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10815-010-9468-6

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