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Impact of freezing and thawing of human ovarian tissue on follicular growth after long-term xenotransplantation

  • Fertility Preservation
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Journal of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Purpose

To assess follicular growth after xenografting in order to understand how freezing and/or grafting may affect follicular development.

Methods

Human ovarian biopsies were used for fresh and frozen-thawed xenografting to SCID mice. After xenotransplantation, follicular morphology and proportion, oocyte and follicle diameter, and quantitative and qualitative parameters of antral follicles were analyzed.

Results

The proportion of growing follicles was significantly higher in grafted than non-grafted ovarian tissue. Follicular growth to the antral stage was observed and there was no significant difference in oocyte or follicle diameter in fresh or frozen-thawed grafts. Although no significant difference was observed in antral area or zona pellucida thickness, the theca layer in antral follicles from frozen-thawed grafted tissue was found to be significantly thinner than in fresh grafts.

Conclusion

Antral follicles obtained after grafting of frozen-thawed human ovarian tissue showed a thinner theca cell layer compared to those from fresh grafts, which could affect follicular development and function. Further studies are nevertheless warranted to confirm the identity of theca cells and assess if they retain the ability to respond to luteinizing hormone and produce androgens.

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Acknowledgments

The authors thank Mira Hryniuk for reviewing the English language of the manuscript, Maria-Dolores Gonzalez, Department of Gynecology, for the double-blind study, and Céline Bugli (SMCS—IMMAQ—UCL) for statistical advice.

Funding

The present study was supported by grants from the Commissariat General aux Relations Internationales (UCL) awarded to Anu David, the Fonds National de la Recherche Scientifique de Belgique (grant Télévie N07.4507.10, grant 3.4.590.08 awarded to Marie-Madeleine Dolmans), the Fonds Spéciaux de Recherche, the Fondation St Luc, the Région Wallonne (grant WBI 2009–2010 awarded to Alessandra Camboni) and the Foundation Against Cancer, and donations from Mr Pietro Ferrero, Baron Frère and Viscount Philippe de Spoelberch.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Gynecology, Université Catholique de Louvain, Institut de Recherche Expérimentale et Clinique, Brussels, 1200, Belgium

    Christiani A. Amorim, Anu David, Marie-Madeleine Dolmans, Alessandra Camboni, Jacques Donnez & Anne Van Langendonckt

  2. Department of Gynecology, Université Catholique de Louvain, Cliniques Universitaires St Luc, Avenue Hippocrate 10, 1200, Brussels, Belgium

    Jacques Donnez

Authors
  1. Christiani A. Amorim
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  2. Anu David
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  3. Marie-Madeleine Dolmans
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  4. Alessandra Camboni
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  5. Jacques Donnez
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  6. Anne Van Langendonckt
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Jacques Donnez.

Additional information

C A Amorim and A David are joint first authors

Capsule

The theca layer in antral follicles from cryopreserved grafted human ovarian tissue is thinner than in fresh grafts.

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Amorim, C.A., David, A., Dolmans, MM. et al. Impact of freezing and thawing of human ovarian tissue on follicular growth after long-term xenotransplantation. J Assist Reprod Genet 28, 1157–1165 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10815-011-9672-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10815-011-9672-z

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