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Journal of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics
Published in: Journal of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics 12/2016

Open Access 01-12-2016 | Fertility Preservation

Follicular growth after xenotransplantation of cryopreserved/thawed human ovarian tissue in SCID mice: dynamics and molecular aspects

Authors: Sarrah Ayuandari, Katharina Winkler-Crepaz, Monika Paulitsch, Cora Wagner, Claudia Zavadil, Claudia Manzl, Stephanie C. Ziehr, Ludwig Wildt, Susanne Hofer-Tollinger

Published in: Journal of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics | Issue 12/2016

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Abstract

Purpose

To study the influence of xenotransplantation on follicular recruitment and growth in cryopreserved/thawed human ovarian tissue.

Method

Two 3-mm pieces of cryopreserved/thawed human ovarian tissue obtained from female cancer patients (n = 11) were xenotransplanted into a subcutaneous neck pouch of 6-week-old ovarectomized SCID mice (n = 33) for 4 (n = 18) and 12 (n = 15) weeks.

Result

Thirty-two out of 33 mice survived the entire observation periods. Graft recovery rate was 95.58 % (65 of 68 grafts). The percentages of primordial follicles after 4 weeks (P < 0.001) and 12 weeks (P = 0.009) of grafting were significantly lower in comparison to pregraft controls. The percentage of secondary follicle was significantly higher after 4 weeks of grafting (P = 0.018) and after 12 weeks (P = 0.001) of grafting in comparison to pregraft controls. Ki67 immunohistochemistry showed that proliferative follicles were significantly higher after 4 and 12 weeks of grafting compared to pregraft controls (P < 0.001). All follicles analyzed by TUNEL staining appeared healthy after xenotransplantation. The expression level of PTEN was reduced by 2.47-fold after 4 weeks of xenotransplantation, and this result was significant when 2−ΔCt were analyzed (P = 0.042).

Conclusion

The higher proportion of growing follicles compared to resting follicles observed after xenotransplantation is most likely due to downregulation of PTEN gene expression followed by acceleration of follicular recruitment.
Appendix
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Metadata
Title
Follicular growth after xenotransplantation of cryopreserved/thawed human ovarian tissue in SCID mice: dynamics and molecular aspects
Authors
Sarrah Ayuandari
Katharina Winkler-Crepaz
Monika Paulitsch
Cora Wagner
Claudia Zavadil
Claudia Manzl
Stephanie C. Ziehr
Ludwig Wildt
Susanne Hofer-Tollinger
Publication date
01-12-2016
Publisher
Springer US
Published in
Journal of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics / Issue 12/2016
Print ISSN: 1058-0468
Electronic ISSN: 1573-7330
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10815-016-0769-2

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