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Alkali IM, Colombo M, De Iorio T, Piotrowska A, Rodak O, Kulus MJ, Niżański W, Dziegiel P, Luvoni GC. Vitrification of feline ovarian tissue: Comparison of protocols based on equilibration time and temperature. Theriogenology 2024; 224:163-173. [PMID: 38776704 DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2024.05.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2024] [Revised: 05/17/2024] [Accepted: 05/17/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024]
Abstract
Global contraction of biodiversity pushed most members of Felidae into threatened or endangered list except the domestic cat (Felis catus) thence preferred as the best model for conservation studies. One of the emerging conservation strategies is vitrification of ovarian tissue which is field-friendly but not yet standardized. Thus, our main goal was to establish a suitable vitrification protocol for feline ovarian tissue in field condition. Feline ovarian tissue fragments were punched with biopsy punch (1.5 mm diameter) and divided into 4 groups. Group 1 was fresh control (Fr), while the other three were exposed to 3 vitrification protocols (VIT_CT, VIT_RT1 and VIT_RT2). VIT_CT involved two step equilibrations in solutions containing dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) and ethylene glycol (EG) for 10 min each at 4 °C. VIT_RT1 involved three step equilibration in solutions containing DMSO, EG, polyvinylpyrrolidone and sucrose for 14 min in total at room temperature, while in VIT_RT2 all conditions remained the same as in VIT_RT1 except equilibration timing which was reduced by half. After vitrification and warming, fragments were morphologically evaluated and then cultured for six days. Subsequently, follicular morphology, cellular proliferation (expression of Ki-67, MCM-7) and apoptosis (expression of caspase-3) were evaluated, and data obtained were analysed using generalised linear mixed model and chi square tests. Proportions of intact follicles were higher in Fr (P = 0.0001) and VIT_RT2 (P = 0.0383) in comparison to the other protocols both post warming and after the six-day culture. Generally, most follicles remained at primordial state which was confirmed by the low expression of Ki-67, MCM-7 markers. In conclusion, VIT_RT2 protocol, which has lower equilibration time at room temperature has proven superior thus recommended for vitrification of feline ovarian tissue.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isa Mohammed Alkali
- Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria e Scienze Animali, Università degli Studi di Milano, via dell'Università, 6, 26900, Lodi, Italy; Department of Theriogenology, University of Maiduguri, Maiduguri, Nigeria.
| | - Martina Colombo
- Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria e Scienze Animali, Università degli Studi di Milano, via dell'Università, 6, 26900, Lodi, Italy.
| | - Teresina De Iorio
- Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria e Scienze Animali, Università degli Studi di Milano, via dell'Università, 6, 26900, Lodi, Italy; Consiglio per la Ricerca in Agricoltura e l'Analisi dell'Economia Agraria (CREA), Research Center "Zootechny and Aquaculture", Via Salaria, 31, 00015, Monterotondo, RM, Italy.
| | - Aleksandra Piotrowska
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Wrocław Medical University, ul. Chalubinskiego 6a, 50-368, Wrocław, Poland.
| | - Olga Rodak
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Wrocław Medical University, ul. Chalubinskiego 6a, 50-368, Wrocław, Poland.
| | - Michał Jerzy Kulus
- Division of Ultrastructural Research, Wroclaw Medical University, 50-368, Wrocław, Poland.
| | - Wojciech Niżański
- Department of Reproduction and Clinic for Farm Animals, Wrocław University of Environmental and Life Sciences, Grunwaldzki Square 49, 50-366, Wrocław, Poland.
| | - Piotr Dziegiel
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Wrocław Medical University, ul. Chalubinskiego 6a, 50-368, Wrocław, Poland.
| | - Gaia Cecilia Luvoni
- Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria e Scienze Animali, Università degli Studi di Milano, via dell'Università, 6, 26900, Lodi, Italy.
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Zarnaghi MR, Izadpanah M, Bahroudi Z, Del Bakhshayesh AR, Seghinsara AM, Abedelahi A. Assessment of apoptosis and oxidative stress in cryopreserved ovary after grafting in fibrin-alginate scaffold with endothelial cells and melatonin in wistar rats. J Gynecol Obstet Hum Reprod 2024; 53:102828. [PMID: 39094696 DOI: 10.1016/j.jogoh.2024.102828] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2024] [Revised: 07/23/2024] [Accepted: 07/23/2024] [Indexed: 08/04/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Infertility is a significant public health concern affecting 10-15 % of couples. Young women undergoing gonadotoxic treatment are at higher risk of ovarian dysfunction and infertility. To mitigate this risk, ovarian tissue freezing and transplantation have been developed as a novel strategy. However, challenges such as follicular loss and dysfunction during the freezing process, and ovarian damage during transplantation, persist. This study aimed to investigate the potential of using appropriate antifreeze, antioxidant, wound healing, and biological hydrogels to reduce these injuries. Specifically, the effect of fibrin scaffold with endothelial cells and melatonin on apoptotic gene expression and antioxidants in cryopreserved ovaries after transplantation was examined. METHODS A total of 36 adult female wistar rats) 6-8-week-old and weighing from 200 to 220 g) were divided equally into six groups (n = 6): 1) control group (C), 2) transplanted ovarian tissue after vitrification and thawing process (Group 1), 3) transplanted vitrified/thawed ovarian tissue while encapsulated in Fib/Alg hydrogel (Group 2), 4) transplanted vitrified/thawed ovarian tissue while encapsulated in Fib/Alg hydrogel in addition with melatonin (Group 3), 5) transplanted vitrified/thawed ovarian tissue while encapsulated in Fib/Alg hydrogel in addition with endothelial cells (Group 4) and 6) transplanted vitrified/thawed ovarian tissue while encapsulated in Fib/Alg hydrogel in addition with melatonin endothelial cells (Group 5). The ovaries were auto-transplanted in the rats' lumbar region. After 14 days, the ovaries were removed. Antioxidant levels (SOD, GPx, MDA, and TAC) were evaluated using ELISA, and apoptotic gene expressions (Bax/Bcl2 and caspase 3) were analyzed by real-time RT-PCR to determine apoptosis. RESULTS In the transplanted frozen ovary group, Bax/Bcl2 and caspase 3 gene expression increased significantly (P < 0.05), while antioxidant levels (SOD, GPx, MDA, and TAC) decreased. The encapsulated frozen ovary group showed decreased gene expression and increased antioxidant levels. The ovary group encapsulated with fibrin scaffold, endothelial cells, and melatonin had the most significant decrease in gene expression and increase in antioxidant levels (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION Coordinated action of Fibrin-based scaffold with endothelial cells and melatonin could decrease apoptosis gene expression and increase antioxidant levels in cryopreserved ovaries after transplantation, providing valuable insights into preserving fertility in young women undergoing gonadotoxic treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mahsa Rezaei Zarnaghi
- Department of Anatomical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Melika Izadpanah
- Department of Anatomical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Zahra Bahroudi
- Department of Anatomical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Azizeh Rahmani Del Bakhshayesh
- Department of Tissue Engineering, Faculty of Advanced Medical Sciences, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Abbas Majdi Seghinsara
- Department of Anatomical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Ali Abedelahi
- Department of Anatomical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.
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Sänger N, John J, Einenkel R, Schallmoser A. First report on successful delivery after retransplantation of vitrified, rapid warmed ovarian tissue in Europe. Reprod Biomed Online 2024; 49:103940. [PMID: 38744030 DOI: 10.1016/j.rbmo.2024.103940] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2023] [Revised: 02/22/2024] [Accepted: 03/04/2024] [Indexed: 05/16/2024]
Abstract
RESEARCH QUESTION Cryopreservation of ovarian tissue is one feasible option to preserve female fertility prior to cancer treatment. The slow freezing protocol represents the current standard approach, while vitrification has been suggested as a promising alternative. This paper reports the follow-up and first successful delivery after retransplantation of vitrified, rapid warmed ovarian tissue in Europe. DESIGN After the patient received a diagnosis of breast cancer, ovarian tissue was removed laparoscopically and sent via overnight transportation to University Hospital Bonn for vitrification on site. The patient was treated with chemotherapy, leading to ovarian failure. After 2 years, retransplantation of the vitrified, rapid warmed tissue was conducted on site. RESULTS Two months after grafting, the patient reported regular menstrual cycles. After 1 further month a clinical pregnancy occurred, which ended in a spontaneous abortion at the 8th week of pregnancy. Six months after grafting, another naturally conceived pregnancy was determined, resulting in the birth of a healthy boy 14 months after retransplantation of the ovarian tissue. CONCLUSIONS Complementing the successful deliveries reported by the groups of Suzuki (Japan) and Silber (USA) regarding vitrified tissue, the current results confirm the high potential of this cryopreservation method in a clinical routine setting as an alternative approach to the widespread slow freezing method.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicole Sänger
- Department of Gynecological Endocrinology and Reproductive Medicine, University Hospital of Bonn, Germany.
| | - Julia John
- Department of Gynecological Endocrinology and Reproductive Medicine, University Hospital of Bonn, Germany
| | - Rebekka Einenkel
- Department of Gynecological Endocrinology and Reproductive Medicine, University Hospital of Bonn, Germany
| | - Andreas Schallmoser
- Department of Gynecological Endocrinology and Reproductive Medicine, University Hospital of Bonn, Germany
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Bagheri A, Nazari H, Shams-Esfandabadi N, Ahmadi E, Afzali A, Davoodian N, Nazifi S, Shirian S. Vitamin C Synergistically Enhances Protective Effects of Vitamin E Against Preantral Follicle Degeneration of Ovine Vitrified/Warmed Ovarian Tissue. Biopreserv Biobank 2024. [PMID: 38905140 DOI: 10.1089/bio.2022.0077] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/23/2024] Open
Abstract
This study aimed to evaluate whether the addition of vitamins E and C as two conventional antioxidants improves the cryotolerance of preantral follicles enclosed in ovine ovarian tissue slices. For this purpose, ovarian slices were obtained from abattoired juvenile lambs and randomly distributed to the following groups: fresh, toxicity, vitrified (control), and three treatment groups in two experiments. Vitamin E, vitamin C, or vitamin E + C was added to the vitrification media alone in the first experiment and added to all vitrification, warming, and culture media in the second experiment. Finally, the treated tissues were cultured in vitro for 12 hours. The histological analysis showed that single or combined use of vitamins E and C increases intact preantral follicles in comparison to the control in two experiments (p < 0.05), and simultaneous use of vitamins E and C had a synergistic effect on increasing the percentage of normal preantral follicles in experiment 2 (p < 0.05). Due to the better results in Experiment 2, stromal cell density, antioxidant activity, and molecular evaluation were followed only in this experiment. The vitamin E + C group had higher stromal cell density compared with control group (p < 0.05). Vitamin E strengthened antioxidant capacity compared with the control and vitamin C groups (p < 0.05). This effect was exacerbated when used in combination with vitamin C (p < 0.05). The expression of all evaluated genes (BMP4, BMP15, GDF9, and KITLG) was significantly increased in ovarian tissue treated with vitamin E + C compared with the control group (p < 0.05). This increase was also observed in BMP4, GDF9, and KITLG genes compared with the vitamin C group (p < 0.05). In conclusion, this study revealed the positive effects of vitamins E and C on preantral follicle viability and to some extent a synergistic action of vitamin C on the protective effects of vitamin E against preantral follicle degeneration and increasing antioxidant capacity and development of preantral follicles after ovine ovarian tissue vitrification.
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Affiliation(s)
- Azita Bagheri
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Shahrekord University, Shahrekord, Iran
| | - Hassan Nazari
- Research Institute of Animal Embryo Technology, Shahrekord University, Shahrekord, Iran
| | - Naser Shams-Esfandabadi
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Shahrekord University, Shahrekord, Iran
| | - Ebrahim Ahmadi
- Research Institute of Animal Embryo Technology, Shahrekord University, Shahrekord, Iran
| | - Azita Afzali
- Faculty of Medical Sciences, Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences, Shahrekord, Iran
| | - Najmeh Davoodian
- Research Institute of Animal Embryo Technology, Shahrekord University, Shahrekord, Iran
| | - Sina Nazifi
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Shahrekord University, Shahrekord, Iran
| | - Sadegh Shirian
- Department of Pathobiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Shahrekord University, Shahrekord, Iran
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Carvalho JVGD, Soares ARB, Evangelista ITA, Leão DL, Santos RRD, Domingues SFS. Morphological evaluation of adult domestic cat testicular biopsy after vitrification. ZYGOTE 2024:1-8. [PMID: 38738346 DOI: 10.1017/s096719942400008x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/14/2024]
Abstract
Testicular biopsies (9 mm3) from domestic cats (n = 10) submitted to orchiectomy were submitted to equilibrium vitrification in the presence of ethylene glycol (EG) alone or combined with dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) as intracellular cryoprotectants, and sucrose or trehalose as extracellular cryoprotectants. The samples were vitrified with 40% EG or 20% EG + 20% DMSO, plus 0.1 M or 0.5 M of sucrose or trehalose. The study was divided into Step 1 and Step 2. In Step 1, intratubular cells (spermatogonia, spermatids, spermatocytes, and Sertoli cells) were quantified and classified as intact or degenerated (pyknotic and/or vacuolated cells). Cryodamage of seminiferous cords was determined by spermatogonia and Sertoli cell scoring of nuclei alterations, tubular basement membrane detachment, epithelium shrinkage, and tubular measures (total area, epithelium area, larger and smaller diameter, and height of the epithelium). In Step 2, Hoechst 33342 stain and propidium iodide (PI) fluorescent stain were used to assess the cell viability of the four best experimental groups in Step 1. The effect of treatments on all analyses was accessed using analysis of variance (ANOVA), and Fisher's post hoc test at P < 0.05 significance was considered. In Step 1, the mean percentage of spermatogonia and Sertoli cells morphological integrity did not show a difference when using both sugars at different concentrations, but their morphology was more affected when DMSO was used. EG use associated with 0.1 M of sucrose or trehalose positively affected spermatocyte and spermatid morphology, respectively. The larger diameter and epithelium height of seminiferous tubules were increased using DMSO plus 0.5 M sucrose and DMSO plus 0.1 M trehalose. The changes in spermatogonial/Sertoli nucleoli visualization were best scored in the EG groups, while the nuclei condensation was lower with sucrose. The basement membrane was satisfactorily preserved with 0.1 M sucrose. In Step 2, the percentage of cell viability was higher when EG plus 0.1 M sucrose was used. Therefore, DMSO's negative effect on the vitrification of testicular biopsies of adult domestic cats was evident. The EG plus 0.1 M of sucrose or trehalose associations are the most suitable CPAs to preserve the testicular histology structure of adult domestic cats in vitrification.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julyne Vivian Guimarães de Carvalho
- Laboratory of Wild Animal Biotechnology and Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Federal University of Pará, Castanhal, Pará, Brazil
- Postgraduate Programme in Animal Health and Production in the Amazon, Federal Rural University of Amazonia, Belém, Pará, Brazil
| | - Airton Renan Bastos Soares
- Laboratory of Wild Animal Biotechnology and Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Federal University of Pará, Castanhal, Pará, Brazil
| | - Inara Tayná Alves Evangelista
- Laboratory of Wild Animal Biotechnology and Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Federal University of Pará, Castanhal, Pará, Brazil
| | - Danuza Leite Leão
- Laboratory of Wild Animal Biotechnology and Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Federal University of Pará, Castanhal, Pará, Brazil
| | - Regiane Rodrigues Dos Santos
- Laboratory of Wild Animal Biotechnology and Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Federal University of Pará, Castanhal, Pará, Brazil
| | - Sheyla Farhayldes Souza Domingues
- Laboratory of Wild Animal Biotechnology and Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Federal University of Pará, Castanhal, Pará, Brazil
- Postgraduate Programme in Animal Health and Production in the Amazon, Federal Rural University of Amazonia, Belém, Pará, Brazil
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Deligiannis SP, Kask K, Modhukur V, Boskovic N, Ivask M, Jaakma Ü, Damdimopoulou P, Tuuri T, Velthut-Meikas A, Salumets A. Investigating the impact of vitrification on bovine ovarian tissue morphology, follicle survival, and transcriptomic signature. J Assist Reprod Genet 2024; 41:1035-1055. [PMID: 38358432 PMCID: PMC11052753 DOI: 10.1007/s10815-024-03038-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2023] [Accepted: 01/18/2024] [Indexed: 02/16/2024] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Ovarian tissue cryopreservation is vital for fertility preservation, yet its effect on ovarian tissue follicle survival and transcriptomic signature requires further investigation. This study delves into the effects of vitrification on tissue morphology, function, and transcriptomic changes, helping to find possibilities for vitrification protocol improvements. METHODS Ovarian cortex from 19 bovine animals were used to conduct pre- and post-vitrification culture followed by histological assessment, immunohistochemistry, and TUNEL assay. Follicles' functionality was assessed for viability and growth within the tissue and in isolated cultures. RNA-sequencing of ovarian tissue was used to explore the transcriptomic alterations caused by vitrification. RESULTS Follicle density, cell proliferation, and DNA damage in ovarian stroma were unaffected by vitrification. However, vitrified cultured tissue exhibited reduced follicle density of primordial/primary and antral follicles, while freshly cultured tissue manifested reduction of antral follicles. Increased stromal cell proliferation and DNA damage occurred in both groups post-culture. Isolated follicles from vitrified tissue exhibited similar viability to fresh follicles until day 4, after which the survival dropped. RNA-sequencing revealed minor effects of vitrification on transcriptomic signatures, while culture induced significant gene expression changes in both groups. The altered expression of WNT and hormonal regulation pathway genes post-vitrification suggests the molecular targets for vitrification protocol refinement. CONCLUSION Vitrification minimally affects tissue morphology, follicle density, and transcriptomic signature post-thawing. However, culture revealed notable changes in vitrified tissue samples, including reduced follicle density, decreased isolated follicle survival, and alteration in WNT signalling and ovarian hormonal regulation pathways, highlighted them as possible limitations of the current vitrification protocol.
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Affiliation(s)
- Spyridon P Deligiannis
- Division of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Department of Clinical Science, Intervention and Technology, Karolinska Institutet, Huddinge, 14186, Stockholm, Sweden.
- Department of Gynecology and Reproductive Medicine, Karolinska University Hospital, 14186, Stockholm, Sweden.
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Tartu, 50406, Tartu, Estonia.
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Helsinki, 00290, Helsinki, Finland.
| | - Keiu Kask
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Tartu, 50406, Tartu, Estonia
- Competence Centre of Health Technologies, 50411, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Vijayachitra Modhukur
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Tartu, 50406, Tartu, Estonia
- Competence Centre of Health Technologies, 50411, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Nina Boskovic
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Helsinki, 00290, Helsinki, Finland
- Department of Biosciences and Nutrition, Karolinska Institutet, 14183, Huddinge, Sweden
| | - Marilin Ivask
- Department of Pathophysiology, Institute of Biomedicine and Translational Medicine, University of Tartu, 50411, Tartu, Estonia
- Institute of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, Estonian University of Life Sciences, 51014, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Ülle Jaakma
- Institute of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, Estonian University of Life Sciences, 51014, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Pauliina Damdimopoulou
- Division of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Department of Clinical Science, Intervention and Technology, Karolinska Institutet, Huddinge, 14186, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Gynecology and Reproductive Medicine, Karolinska University Hospital, 14186, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Timo Tuuri
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Helsinki, 00290, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Agne Velthut-Meikas
- Department of Chemistry and Biotechnology, Tallinn University of Technology, 12618, Tallinn, Estonia
| | - Andres Salumets
- Division of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Department of Clinical Science, Intervention and Technology, Karolinska Institutet, Huddinge, 14186, Stockholm, Sweden.
- Department of Gynecology and Reproductive Medicine, Karolinska University Hospital, 14186, Stockholm, Sweden.
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Tartu, 50406, Tartu, Estonia.
- Competence Centre of Health Technologies, 50411, Tartu, Estonia.
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Dias C, Commin L, Bonnefont-Rebeix C, Buff S, Bruyère P, Trombotto S. Comparative Evaluation of the In Vitro Cytotoxicity of a Series of Chitosans and Chitooligosaccharides Water-Soluble at Physiological pH. Polymers (Basel) 2023; 15:3679. [PMID: 37765533 PMCID: PMC10537996 DOI: 10.3390/polym15183679] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2023] [Revised: 08/31/2023] [Accepted: 09/01/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Chitosans (CS) have been of great interest due to their properties and numerous applications. However, CS have poor solubility in neutral and basic media, which limits their use in these conditions. In contrast, chitooligosaccharides (COS) have better solubility in water and lower viscosity in aqueous solutions whilst maintaining interesting biological properties. CS and COS, unlike other sugars, are not single polymers with a defined structure but are groups of molecules with modifiable structural parameters, allowing the adaptation and optimization of their properties. The great versatility of CS and COS makes these molecules very attractive for different applications, such as cryopreservation. Here, we investigated the effect of the degree of polymerization (DP), degree of N-acetylation (DA) and concentration of a series of synthesized CS and COS, water-soluble at physiological pH, on their cytotoxicity in an L929 fibroblast cell culture. Our results demonstrated that CS and COS showed no sign of toxicity regarding cell viability at low concentrations (≤10 mg/mL), independently of their DP and DA, whereas a compromising effect on cell viability was observed at a high concentration (100 mg/mL).
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Affiliation(s)
- Catia Dias
- UPSP 2021.A104 ICE, Interaction Cellule Environnement, VetAgro Sup, Université de Lyon, F-69280 Marcy l’Etoile, France; (L.C.); (C.B.-R.); (S.B.); (P.B.)
| | - Loris Commin
- UPSP 2021.A104 ICE, Interaction Cellule Environnement, VetAgro Sup, Université de Lyon, F-69280 Marcy l’Etoile, France; (L.C.); (C.B.-R.); (S.B.); (P.B.)
| | - Catherine Bonnefont-Rebeix
- UPSP 2021.A104 ICE, Interaction Cellule Environnement, VetAgro Sup, Université de Lyon, F-69280 Marcy l’Etoile, France; (L.C.); (C.B.-R.); (S.B.); (P.B.)
| | - Samuel Buff
- UPSP 2021.A104 ICE, Interaction Cellule Environnement, VetAgro Sup, Université de Lyon, F-69280 Marcy l’Etoile, France; (L.C.); (C.B.-R.); (S.B.); (P.B.)
| | - Pierre Bruyère
- UPSP 2021.A104 ICE, Interaction Cellule Environnement, VetAgro Sup, Université de Lyon, F-69280 Marcy l’Etoile, France; (L.C.); (C.B.-R.); (S.B.); (P.B.)
| | - Stéphane Trombotto
- Univ Lyon, CNRS, UMR 5223, Ingénierie des Matériaux Polymères, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, INSA Lyon, Université Jean Monnet, F-69622 Villeurbanne, France;
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Najafi A, Asadi E, Benson JD. Ovarian tissue cryopreservation and transplantation: a review on reactive oxygen species generation and antioxidant therapy. Cell Tissue Res 2023; 393:401-423. [PMID: 37328708 DOI: 10.1007/s00441-023-03794-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2022] [Accepted: 05/31/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Cancer is the leading cause of death worldwide. Fortunately, the survival rate of cancer continues to rise, owing to advances in cancer treatments. However, these treatments are gonadotoxic and cause infertility. Ovarian tissue cryopreservation and transplantation (OTCT) is the most flexible option to preserve fertility in women and children with cancer. However, OTCT is associated with significant follicle loss and an accompanying short lifespan of the grafts. There has been a decade of research in cryopreservation-induced oxidative stress in single cells with significant successes in mitigating this major source of loss of viability. However, despite its success elsewhere and beyond a few promising experiments, little attention has been paid to this key aspect of OTCT-induced damage. As more and more clinical practices adopt OTCT for fertility preservation, it is a critical time to review oxidative stress as a cause of damage and to outline potential ameliorative interventions. Here we give an overview of the application of OTCT for female fertility preservation and existing challenges; clarify the potential contribution of oxidative stress in ovarian follicle loss; and highlight potential ability of antioxidant treatments to mitigate the OTCT-induced injuries that might be of interest to cryobiologists and reproductive clinicians.
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Affiliation(s)
- Atefeh Najafi
- Department of Biology, University of Saskatchewan, S7N 5E2, Saskatoon, SK, Canada
| | - Ebrahim Asadi
- Department of Biology, University of Saskatchewan, S7N 5E2, Saskatoon, SK, Canada
| | - James D Benson
- Department of Biology, University of Saskatchewan, S7N 5E2, Saskatoon, SK, Canada.
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Schallmoser A, Einenkel R, Färber C, Hüren V, Emrich N, John J, Sänger N. Comparison of angiogenic potential in vitrified vs. slow frozen human ovarian tissue. Sci Rep 2023; 13:12885. [PMID: 37558708 PMCID: PMC10412559 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-39920-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2023] [Accepted: 08/02/2023] [Indexed: 08/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Vitrification of ovarian tissue is a promising alternative approach to the traditional slow freezing method. Few empirical investigations have been conducted to determine the angiogenic profiles of these two freezing methods. In this study we aimed to answer the question whether one of the cryopreservation methods should be preferred based on the secretion of angiogenic factors. Tissue culture with reduced oxygen (5%) was conducted for 48 h with samples of fresh, slow frozen/thawed and vitrified/rapid warmed ovarian cortex tissue from 20 patients. From each patient, tissue was used in all three treatment groups. Tissue culture supernatants were determined regarding cytokine expression profiles of angiogenin, angiopoietin-2, epidermal growth factor, basic fibroblast growth factor, heparin binding epidermal growth factor, hepatocyte growth factor, Leptin, Platelet-derived growth factor B, placental growth factor and vascular endothelial growth factor A via fluoroimmunoassay. Apoptotic changes were assessed by TUNEL staining of cryosections and supplemented by hematoxylin and eosin and proliferating cell nuclear antigen staining. Comparing the angiogenic expression profiles of vitrified/rapid warmed tissue with slow frozen/thawed tissue samples, no significant differences were observed. Detection of apoptotic DNA fragmentation via TUNEL indicated minor apoptotic profiles that were not significantly different comparing both cryopreservation methods. Vitrification of ovarian cortical tissue does not appear to impact negatively on the expression profile of angiogenic factors and may be regarded as an effective alternative approach to the traditional slow freezing method.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andreas Schallmoser
- Department of Gynecological Endocrinology and Reproductive Medicine, University Hospital of Bonn, Venusberg Campus 1, 53127, Bonn, Germany.
| | - Rebekka Einenkel
- Department of Gynecological Endocrinology and Reproductive Medicine, University Hospital of Bonn, Venusberg Campus 1, 53127, Bonn, Germany
| | - Cara Färber
- Department of Gynecological Endocrinology and Reproductive Medicine, University Hospital of Bonn, Venusberg Campus 1, 53127, Bonn, Germany
| | - Vanessa Hüren
- Department of Gynecological Endocrinology and Reproductive Medicine, University Hospital of Bonn, Venusberg Campus 1, 53127, Bonn, Germany
| | - Norah Emrich
- Department of Gynecological Endocrinology and Reproductive Medicine, University Hospital of Bonn, Venusberg Campus 1, 53127, Bonn, Germany
| | - Julia John
- Department of Gynecological Endocrinology and Reproductive Medicine, University Hospital of Bonn, Venusberg Campus 1, 53127, Bonn, Germany
| | - Nicole Sänger
- Department of Gynecological Endocrinology and Reproductive Medicine, University Hospital of Bonn, Venusberg Campus 1, 53127, Bonn, Germany.
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10
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Safrina A, Anita N, Jusuf AA, Syaidah R, Saoemi HA. Bax/Bcl-2 Expression Ratio Analysis of Rat Ovary Vitrified with Date Juice Concentrate as a Natural Extracellular Cryoprotectant. J Hum Reprod Sci 2023; 16:106-113. [PMID: 37547095 PMCID: PMC10404014 DOI: 10.4103/jhrs.jhrs_29_23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2023] [Revised: 06/16/2023] [Accepted: 06/18/2023] [Indexed: 08/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Background The use of extremely low temperatures in vitrification is known to cause cryoinjury so that it can trigger the activation of the intrinsic apoptotic pathway, which can damage the structural integrity of the pre-antral follicle. Based on that, it is necessary to use an appropriate cryoprotectant to protect the preserved cell. Aims This study aimed to identify the potential use of date juice concentrate (DJC) as a natural extracellular cryoprotectant to suppress the rate of apoptosis after vitrification. Settings and Design This experimental research uses 24 samples of ovarian rats. Rats were fed and drank an ad libitum. Materials and Methods Ovaries were isolated in the proestrus phase, then processed into slides for immunohistochemistry (IHC) staining using anti-Bax and anti-Bcl-2 antibodies. IHC results were evaluated for the brown colour using ImageJ IHC Profiler. The results were analysed as an optical density and displayed in the Bax/Bcl-2 ratio. Statistical Analysis Used All data were statistically analysed with either parametric (analysis of various) or non-parametric (Kruskal-Wallis) tests. Results The combination of EG 7.5% + DJC 15% (KP2) showed the lowest Bax/Bcl-2 ratio in primordial and primary follicles. Meanwhile, the lowest Bax/Bcl-2 ratio in secondary follicles is found in KP4 (EG 15% + DJC 15%). The DJC is known to contain a dominant amount of glucose. The DJC shows antioxidant activity and contains antioxidant compounds, phenols and flavonoids. Conclusion The sugar content and antioxidant compounds of DJC can protect against follicle membrane damage, so the rate of intrinsic apoptosis pathway is also suppressed initially with Bax protein suppression in the mitochondrial membrane.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aisyah Safrina
- Department of Histology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Medicine, Universitas Indonesia, Depok, West Java, Indonesia
| | - Nova Anita
- Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Universitas Indonesia, Depok, West Java, Indonesia
| | - Ahmad Aulia Jusuf
- Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Indonesia, Depok, West Java, Indonesia
| | - Rahimi Syaidah
- Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Indonesia, Depok, West Java, Indonesia
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11
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Ali Hassan H, Banchi P, Chayaa R, Pascottini OB, Maniscalco L, Iussich S, Smits K, Van Soom A. Feline ovarian tissue vitrification: The effect of fragment size and base medium on follicular viability and morphology. Theriogenology 2023; 198:12-18. [PMID: 36529107 DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2022.12.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2022] [Revised: 12/07/2022] [Accepted: 12/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
To achieve optimal vitrification, tissue structure and fragment size represent a challenge for obtaining sufficient cooling velocity. Theoretically, thin ovarian tissue fragments lead to higher surface contact, hence higher solute penetration. Another critical factor is the concentration of cryoprotectants (CPA): CPA toxicity may occur with high concentrations, and as such, this may induce local apoptosis. Therefore two experiments were conducted: In experiment I, we compared the effect of sucrose supplementation in vitrification solution along with ovarian fragments of different sizes on post-warming tissue viability and follicle architecture. Fragments of two different sizes, with a thickness and radius of 1.5 × 0.75 mm and 3 × 1.5 mm respectively were vitrified in vitrification solution without sucrose and with 0.5 M sucrose supplementation. Post-warming, fragments of ovarian tissue (fresh and vitrified) were evaluated for viability (Calcein AM/Propidium Iodide) and for morphology (hematoxylin-eosin). In experiment II, we aimed to reduce cryoprotectant toxicity by using lower CPA concentrations in combination with an optimized carrier medium (HypThermosol®; HTS). Ovarian tissue fragments were randomly allocated to five groups (A: fresh controls; B: vitrified in GLOBAL® TOTAL® LP w/HEPES with 15% ethylene glycol (EG) and 15% DMSO; C: vitrified in HTS with 5% EG and 5% DMSO; D: vitrified in HTS with 10% EG and 10% DMSO; E: vitrified in HTS with 15% EG and 15% DMSO). Fragments (fresh and vitrified) were evaluated for morphology (hematoxylin-eosin) and for apoptosis through the activity of caspase-3. Results showed that follicular morphology was affected by the size of the fragment; smaller sized fragments contained a greater proportion of intact follicles (53.8 ± 2.0%) compared to the larger fragments (40.3 ± 2.0%). Our results demonstrated that 1.5 × 0.75 mm sized pieces vitrified in a vitrification solution supplemented with 0.5 M sucrose had more intact follicles (54.8 ± 1.3%; P = 0.0002) after vitrification. In addition, HTS presented no additional protective effect as a base medium, neither for follicular morphology nor apoptotic rate.
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Affiliation(s)
- H Ali Hassan
- Department of Internal Medicine, Reproduction and Population Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Salisburylaan 133, 9820, Merelbeke, Belgium.
| | - P Banchi
- Department of Internal Medicine, Reproduction and Population Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Salisburylaan 133, 9820, Merelbeke, Belgium; Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Turin, Largo Paolo Braccini 2-5, 10095, Grugliasco, Italy
| | - R Chayaa
- Faculty of Agronomy and Veterinary Medicine, Lebanese University, 2703, Beirut, Dekwaneh, Lebanon
| | - O B Pascottini
- Department of Internal Medicine, Reproduction and Population Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Salisburylaan 133, 9820, Merelbeke, Belgium
| | - L Maniscalco
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Turin, Largo Paolo Braccini 2-5, 10095, Grugliasco, Italy; Faculty of Agronomy and Veterinary Medicine, Lebanese University, 2703, Beirut, Dekwaneh, Lebanon
| | - S Iussich
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Turin, Largo Paolo Braccini 2-5, 10095, Grugliasco, Italy; Faculty of Agronomy and Veterinary Medicine, Lebanese University, 2703, Beirut, Dekwaneh, Lebanon
| | - K Smits
- Department of Internal Medicine, Reproduction and Population Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Salisburylaan 133, 9820, Merelbeke, Belgium
| | - A Van Soom
- Department of Internal Medicine, Reproduction and Population Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Salisburylaan 133, 9820, Merelbeke, Belgium
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12
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Vatanparast M, Karimizarchi M, Halvaei I, Grazia Palmerini M, Macchiarelli G, Khalili MA. Ultrastructure of human ovarian tissues and risk of cancer cells re-implantation after transplantation to chick embryo chorioallantois membrane (CAM) following vitrification or slow freezing. Cryobiology 2023; 110:93-102. [PMID: 36417967 DOI: 10.1016/j.cryobiol.2022.11.240] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2022] [Revised: 11/14/2022] [Accepted: 11/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Ovarian follicle depletion and premature ovarian failure are significant challenges in cancer patients subjected to radio- or chemotherapy. Ovarian tissue (OT) cryopreservation would be an option when other fertility preservation methods are not accessible. This study aimed to analyze the structure and ultrastructure of human OTs transplanted onto chick embryo chorioallantois membrane (CAM) after cryopreservation by vitrification or slow freezing. OTs from 10 cancer patients underwent cryopreservation. CAM transplantation was done on fresh and cryopreserved OTs, to assign samples to nine study groups as follows: 1) FI-FIII = fresh, 5- and 10-days post-CAM transplantation groups; 2) VI-VIII = vitrified, 5- and 10-days post-transplantation vitrified groups; 3) SFI-SFIII: slow frozen, 5- and 10-days post-transplantation slow freezing groups. Proliferation ability, folliculogenesis, and structural and ultrastructure were analyzed. The density of primordial follicles did not change after both freezing methods, but reduced after 5 (P ≥ 0.05) and 10 days (P ≤ 0.05) post-CAM transplantation. The follicular grade significantly decreased in all transplanted tissues (P ≤ 0.0). The proliferation marker increased after cryopreservation, but reduced after transplantation (P ≤ 0.05). TEM evaluation showed better follicular ultrastructure in the fresh group, after transplantation. Stromal ultrastructure appeared more preserved after vitrification compared with slow freezing. There was no sign of malignant cell contamination after transplantation. Some follicular TEM abnormalities were found in both methods of freezing, with a better transplantation rate after vitrification. Also, enhanced follicular activation resulted in faster follicular depletion in this method. The information regarding post grafting events would improve our knowledge for longer OTs' lifespans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mahboubeh Vatanparast
- Molecular Medicine Research Center, Research Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences, Rafsanjan, Iran
| | - Mojgan Karimizarchi
- Department of Gynecology Oncology, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Iman Halvaei
- Department of Anatomical Sciences, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Maria Grazia Palmerini
- Department of Life, Health and Environmental Sciences, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Guido Macchiarelli
- Department of Life, Health and Environmental Sciences, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Mohammad Ali Khalili
- Department of Reproductive Biology, Yazd Reproductive Sciences Institute, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran.
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13
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Behl S, Joshi VB, Larson NB, Young MC, Bilal M, Walker DL, Khan Z, Granberg CF, Chattha A, Zhao Y. Vitrification versus slow freezing of human ovarian tissue: a systematic review and meta-analysis of histological outcomes. J Assist Reprod Genet 2023; 40:455-464. [PMID: 36542310 PMCID: PMC10033773 DOI: 10.1007/s10815-022-02692-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2022] [Accepted: 12/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
A systematic review and meta-analysis of pertinent literature published from 2006 to January 2022 were conducted to study and compare vitrification and slow freezing, the two prominent methods of ovarian tissue cryopreservation. The primary outcome measures for this study were (1) proportion of intact primordial follicles, (2) proportion of intact stromal cells, (3) proportion of DNA fragmentation in primordial follicles, and (4) mean primordial follicle density. This meta-analysis of 19 studies revealed a significantly greater proportion of intact stromal cells in vitrified tissue versus slow-frozen tissue. No significant differences upon pooled analyses were observed between the two cryopreservation methods with respect to the proportion of intact primordial follicles, proportion of DNA fragmentation, or mean primordial follicle density. Due to differences seen in stromal cell viability, vitrification may be a preferred option to preserve histology of tissue. However, more work should be done to compare the two freezing techniques with less heterogeneity caused by patients, samples, and protocols.
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Affiliation(s)
- Supriya Behl
- Children's Research Center, Department of Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine, Mayo Clinic, 200 1st St SW, MN, 55905, Rochester, USA
| | - Vidhu B Joshi
- Charles Widger School of Law, Villanova University, Villanova, PA, USA
| | - Nicholas B Larson
- Department of Quantitative Health Sciences, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, 55905, USA
| | - Maia C Young
- Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine, Rochester, MN, 55905, USA
| | - Muhammad Bilal
- Division of Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology, Department of Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine, Mayo Clinic, 200 1st St SW, MN, 55905, Rochester, USA
| | - David L Walker
- Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Mayo Clinic, 200 1st St SW, MN, 55905, Rochester, USA
| | - Zaraq Khan
- Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Mayo Clinic, 200 1st St SW, MN, 55905, Rochester, USA
| | - Candace F Granberg
- Department of Urology, Mayo Clinic, 200 1st St SW, MN, 55905, Rochester, USA
| | - Asma Chattha
- Division of Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology, Department of Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine, Mayo Clinic, 200 1st St SW, MN, 55905, Rochester, USA
| | - Yulian Zhao
- Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Mayo Clinic, 200 1st St SW, MN, 55905, Rochester, USA.
- Division of Clinical Core Laboratory Services, Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Mayo Clinic, 200 1st St SW, MN, 55905, Rochester, USA.
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14
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Schallmoser A, Einenkel R, Färber C, Emrich N, John J, Sänger N. The effect of high-throughput vitrification of human ovarian cortex tissue on follicular viability: a promising alternative to conventional slow freezing? Arch Gynecol Obstet 2023; 307:591-599. [PMID: 36175682 PMCID: PMC9918590 DOI: 10.1007/s00404-022-06797-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2022] [Accepted: 09/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The standard procedure most frequently used for ovarian tissue cryopreservation (OTC) is slow freezing, while vitrification has been proposed as promising alternative and has built an impressive catalog of success in fertility laboratories regarding cryopreservation of oocytes and embryos. METHODS We developed and evaluated a high-throughput protocol for vitrification of human ovarian tissue suitable for clinical processing. Follicular viability was assessed via calcein staining prior and after cryopreservation analyzing ovarian tissue of a cohort of 30 patients. RESULTS We found no significant differences regarding follicular viability between slow frozen and vitrified cortex tissue samples 24 h after thawing and rapid warming. Follicular viability of thawed and rapid warmed samples was not significantly different in comparison to fresh samples, indicating high proportions of follicular survival rates with both methods. CONCLUSIONS High-throughput vitrification is a promising option in a clinical setting. More research is required to determine the status of other tissue-specific quality indicators potentially influencing on autotransplantation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andreas Schallmoser
- Department of Gynecological Endocrinology and Reproductive Medicine, University Hospital of Bonn, Venusberg Campus 1, 53127, Bonn, Germany.
| | - Rebekka Einenkel
- Department of Gynecological Endocrinology and Reproductive Medicine, University Hospital of Bonn, Venusberg Campus 1, 53127, Bonn, Germany
| | - Cara Färber
- Department of Gynecological Endocrinology and Reproductive Medicine, University Hospital of Bonn, Venusberg Campus 1, 53127, Bonn, Germany
| | - Norah Emrich
- Department of Gynecological Endocrinology and Reproductive Medicine, University Hospital of Bonn, Venusberg Campus 1, 53127, Bonn, Germany
| | - Julia John
- Department of Gynecological Endocrinology and Reproductive Medicine, University Hospital of Bonn, Venusberg Campus 1, 53127, Bonn, Germany
| | - Nicole Sänger
- Department of Gynecological Endocrinology and Reproductive Medicine, University Hospital of Bonn, Venusberg Campus 1, 53127, Bonn, Germany.
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15
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Balogun KB, Nicholls G, Sokunbi OA, Stewart KR. Cryoprotectant effects of natural honey on spermatozoa quality of pre-freezing and frozen-thawed boar semen. J Anim Sci 2023; 101:skac384. [PMID: 36409528 PMCID: PMC9833011 DOI: 10.1093/jas/skac384] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2022] [Accepted: 11/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Natural honey has been successfully used in the preservation of mammalian gametes because of its beneficial properties. The objectives of this study were to determine the inclusion level of honey in extender for improving boar semen quality before freezing and to investigate the effects of honey inclusion in extender and freezing media on post-thaw quality of frozen-thawed boar semen samples. Ejaculates from six terminally crossbred boars were collected using the gloved-hand technique for two experiments. Experiment 1 was a randomized block design, evaluating four inclusion levels of honey in boar semen extender [Control (0H)-Androhep Plus or Androhep Plus with 0.25%, 0.50%, and 0.75% honey (0.25H, 0.50H, and 0.75H respectively)]. Ejaculates were pooled, aliquoted according to treatments, and cooled for 24 h at 17 ºC. The results of this experiment were used to determine inclusion levels in exp. 2. Experiment 2 was a 2 x ×3 factorial design, evaluating the inclusion of honey in boar semen extender and freezing media. Semen samples from individual boars were cooled in extender with or without honey (C0: Androhep Plus; C1: Androhep Plus + 0.25% honey). After 24 h, semen samples were evaluated, diluted in lactose-egg yolk (LEY) media, and one of three freezing media types; F0: 93% LEY + 6% glycerol + 1% Equex-STM Paste (ESP); F1: 93% LEY + (3% glycerol and 3% honey) + 1% ESP; and F2: 93% LEY + 6% glycerol + (0.5% ESP and 0.5% honey). Samples were frozen in 0.5 mL straws using a controlled-rate freezer and stored in liquid nitrogen. In exp. 1, 0.25H and 0.50H improved motility (P = 0.033) and progressive motility (P = 0.001) of cooled boar semen. Nevertheless, 0.25H was selected for exp. 2. In exp. 2, post-thaw motility and progressive motility were highest (P < 0.05) in C0F2 but not different from C1F2. Morphologically normal cells and acrosomes were higher with all inclusion levels of honey (P < 0.05). In conclusion, 0.25% and 0.50% inclusion of honey in Androhep Plus improves motility and progressive motility of cooled boar semen samples after 24 h. Supplementing Androhep Plus with 0.25% honey maintains higher normal sperm cells and acrosomes of cryopreserved boar semen. Replacing 50% Equex-STM paste with honey in freezing media improves post-thaw sperm motility, progressive motility, percentage of normal sperm, and acrosome of cryopreserved boar semen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kayode B Balogun
- Department of Animal Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA
- Department of Animal Science, University of Ibadan, Ibadan 200005, Nigeria
| | - Griffin Nicholls
- Department of Animal Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA
| | - Olujide A Sokunbi
- Department of Animal Science, University of Ibadan, Ibadan 200005, Nigeria
| | - Kara R Stewart
- Department of Animal Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA
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16
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Yong KW, Wu K, Elliott JAW, Jomha NM. The effect of sucrose supplementation on chondrocyte viability in porcine articular cartilage following vitrification. Cryobiology 2022; 109:53-61. [PMID: 36155184 DOI: 10.1016/j.cryobiol.2022.09.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2022] [Revised: 09/14/2022] [Accepted: 09/17/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Vitrification can extend the banking life of articular cartilage (AC) and improve osteochondral transplantation success. Current vitrification protocols require optimization to enable them to be implemented in clinical practice. Sucrose as a non-permeating cryoprotective agent (CPA) and clinical grade chondroitin sulfate (CS) and ascorbic acid (AA) as antioxidants were investigated for their ability to improve a current vitrification protocol for AC. The aim of this study was to assess the impact of sucrose and CS/AA supplementation on post-warming chondrocyte viability in vitrified AC. Porcine osteochondral dowels were randomly vitrified and warmed with one established protocol (Protocol 1) and seven modified protocols (Protocols 2-8) followed by chondrocyte viability assessment. Sucrose supplementation in both vitrification and warming media (Protocol 4) resulted in significantly higher (p = 0.018) post-warming chondrocyte viability compared to the protocol without sucrose (Protocol 1). There was no significant difference (p = 0.298) in terms of post-warming chondrocyte viability between sucrose-supplemented DMEM + CS solution (Protocol 4) and Unisol-CV (UCV) + CS (Protocol 6) solution. Clinical grade CS and AA contributed to similar post-warming chondrocyte viability to previous studies using research grade CS and AA, indicating their suitability for clinical use. The addition of an initial step (step 0) to reduce the initial concentration of CPAs to minimize osmotic effects did not enhance chondrocyte viability in the superficial layer of AC. In conclusion, sucrose-supplemented DMEM + clinical grade CS (Protocol 4) could be an ideal protocol to be investigated for future use in clinical applications involving vitrified AC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kar Wey Yong
- Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, T6G 2B7, Canada
| | - Kezhou Wu
- Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, T6G 2B7, Canada
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, Guangdong, China
| | - Janet A W Elliott
- Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, T6G 1H9, Canada; Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, T6G 2R7, Canada
| | - Nadr M Jomha
- Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, T6G 2B7, Canada
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17
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Testicular Tissue Vitrification: a Promising Strategy for Male Fertility Preservation. Reprod Sci 2022; 30:1687-1700. [DOI: 10.1007/s43032-022-01113-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2022] [Accepted: 09/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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18
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Wakabayashi T, Kaneko M, Nakai T, Horie M, Fujimoto H, Takahashi M, Tanoue S, Ito A. Nanowarming of vitrified pancreatic islets as a cryopreservation technology for transplantation. Bioeng Transl Med 2022. [DOI: 10.1002/btm2.10416] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Taisei Wakabayashi
- Department of Chemical Systems Engineering, School of Engineering Nagoya University Nagoya Japan
| | - Masahiro Kaneko
- Department of Chemical Systems Engineering, School of Engineering Nagoya University Nagoya Japan
| | - Tomoki Nakai
- Department of Chemical Systems Engineering, School of Engineering Nagoya University Nagoya Japan
| | - Masanobu Horie
- Radioisotope Research Center, Agency of Health, Safety and Environment Kyoto University Kyoto Japan
| | - Hiroyuki Fujimoto
- Radioisotope Research Center, Agency of Health, Safety and Environment Kyoto University Kyoto Japan
| | | | - Shota Tanoue
- Technical Department Dai‐Ichi High Frequency Co., Ltd Kawasaki Japan
| | - Akira Ito
- Department of Chemical Systems Engineering, School of Engineering Nagoya University Nagoya Japan
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19
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Gao B, Shu Z, Ren S, Gao D. Biobanking: A foundation of life-science research and advancement. BIOSAFETY AND HEALTH 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bsheal.2022.09.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
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20
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Meng L, Sugishita Y, Nishimura S, Uekawa A, Suzuki-Takahashi Y, Suzuki N. Investigation of the optimal culture time for warmed bovine ovarian tissues before transplantation. Biol Reprod 2022; 107:1319-1330. [PMID: 35980811 DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioac161] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2021] [Revised: 04/25/2022] [Accepted: 08/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Ovarian tissue cryopreservation by vitrification is an effective technique, but there are still many unresolved issues related to the procedure. The aim of this study was to investigate the optimal culture time of post-warmed ovarian tissues and their viability before ovarian tissue transplantation. The bovine ovarian tissues were used to evaluate the effect of post-warming culture periods (0, 0.25, 0.5, 1, 2, 5 and 24 hours) in the levels of residual cryoprotectant, LDH release, ROS generation, gene and protein abundance, and follicle viability and its mitochondrial membrane potential. Residual cryoprotectant (CPA) concentration decreased significantly after 1 hour of culture. The warmed ovarian tissues that underwent between 0 to 2 hours of culture time showed similar LDH and ROS levels compared to fresh non-frozen tissues. The AMH transcript abundance did not differ in any of the groups. No increase in the relative transcript abundance and protein level of Caspase 3 and Cleaved-Caspase 3, respectively, in the first 2 hours of culture after warming. On the other hand, an increased protein level of double stranded DNA breaks (gamma-H2AX) was observed in post-warmed tissues disregarding the length of culture time, and a temporary reduction in pan-AKT was detected in post-warming tissues between 0 to 0.25 hours of culture time. Prolonged culture time lowered the percentage of viable follicles in warmed tissues, but it did not seem to affect the follicular mitochondrial membrane potential. In conclusion, 1 to 2 hours of culture time would be optimal for vitrified-warmed tissues before transplantation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lingbo Meng
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, St. Marianna University School of Medicine, Kawasaki, Japan
| | - Yodo Sugishita
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, St. Marianna University School of Medicine, Kawasaki, Japan.,Department of Frontier Medicine, Institute of Medical Science, St. Marianna University Graduate School of Medicine, Kawasaki, Japan
| | - Sandy Nishimura
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, St. Marianna University School of Medicine, Kawasaki, Japan
| | - Atsushi Uekawa
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, St. Marianna University School of Medicine, Kawasaki, Japan
| | - Yuki Suzuki-Takahashi
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, St. Marianna University School of Medicine, Kawasaki, Japan.,Department of Frontier Medicine, Institute of Medical Science, St. Marianna University Graduate School of Medicine, Kawasaki, Japan
| | - Nao Suzuki
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, St. Marianna University School of Medicine, Kawasaki, Japan
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21
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Anbari F, Khalili MA, Mahaldashtian M, Ahmadi A, Palmerini MG. Fertility preservation strategies for cancerous women: An updated review. Turk J Obstet Gynecol 2022; 19:152-161. [PMID: 35770454 PMCID: PMC9249358 DOI: 10.4274/tjod.galenos.2022.42272] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
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22
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Cryopreservation Competence of Chicken Oocytes as a Model of Endangered Wild Birds: Effects of Storage Time and Temperature on the Ovarian Follicle Survival. Animals (Basel) 2022; 12:ani12111434. [PMID: 35681898 PMCID: PMC9179280 DOI: 10.3390/ani12111434] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2022] [Revised: 05/26/2022] [Accepted: 05/31/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
For the conservation of endangered avian species, developing gamete preservation technologies is essential. However, studies in oocytes have not been widely conducted. In this study, assuming that the ovaries are transported to a research facility after death, we investigated the effect of ovary storage on oocytes for the purpose of cryopreserving avian female gametes by using a chicken as a model of endangered avian species. After excision, the ovaries were stored at either a low temperature (4 °C) or room temperature for 1–3 days. Ovarian follicles stored under different conditions for each period were examined by neutral red staining, histology, and gene and protein expression analysis. In addition, the pH of the storage medium after preserving the ovaries was measured. Then, ovarian tissues were vitrified to determine the cryopreservation competence. Storing the ovarian tissues at 4 °C kept the follicles viable and morphologically normal for 3 days with slow decline. In contrast, although different storage temperature did not influence follicle viability and morphology after only 1 day of storage, ovarian tissues stored at room temperature rapidly declined in structurally normal follicles, and viable follicles were rarely seen after 3 days of storage. Gene and protein expression analysis showed that apoptosis had already started on the first day, as shown by the higher expression of CASP9 under room temperature conditions. Furthermore, high expression of SOD1 and a rapid decline of pH in the storage medium under room temperature storage suggested the influence of oxidative stress associated with low pH in this condition on the follicle survivability in hen ovarian tissues. Our cryopreservation study also showed that ovarian tissues stored at 4 °C could recover after cryopreservation even after 3 days of storage. The described storage conditions and cryopreservation methods, which preserve chicken follicle survival, will lay the foundation of ovarian tissue preservation to preserve the fertility of wild female birds.
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Zaami S, Stark M, Signore F, Gullo G, Marinelli E. Fertility preservation in female cancer sufferers: (only) a moral obligation? EUR J CONTRACEP REPR 2022; 27:335-340. [PMID: 35297279 DOI: 10.1080/13625187.2022.2045936] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Advances in cancer diagnostics and therapeutics have thankfully led to high numbers of young cancer survivors, although some interventions may sometimes threaten fertility. The authors aimed to assess how evidence-based oncofertility counselling can be adequately fulfilled for the sake of female cancer patients, in light of its complexities and multidisciplinary nature, which require thorough counselling and consent pathways. MATERIALS AND METHODS A search has been conducted in the databases PubMed/MEDLINE, Web of Science, Scopus, EMBASE and Google Scholar via search strings such as fertility preservation, reproductive counselling, oncofertility, cancer survivors, in order to identify relevant meaningful sources spanning the 2010-2021 period. RESULTS Counselling needs to be implemented in compliance with international guidelines, so as to avoid medicolegal repercussions. Albeit fertility preservation is supported by most health care institutions, actual conditions at health care facilities often reflect several lingering difficulties in the oncofertility process. Oncofertility counselling should foster access to fertility preservation procedures. To best serve that purpose, it should be implemented in a manner consistent with ethical and legal standards, so that patients can make an informed decision based on comprehensive and relevant data. CONCLUSIONS Counselling needs to be rooted in a close cooperation of oncologists, reproductive endocrinologists, mental health counsellors and clinical researchers. The provision of oncofertility services is grounded in the moral obligation to uphold individual autonomy, which is essential in a free society, unless the exercise thereof could pose a risk to the children conceived or to others.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simona Zaami
- Department of Anatomical, Histological, Forensic and Orthopedic Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Michael Stark
- The New European Surgical Academy (NESA), Berlin, Germany
| | - Fabrizio Signore
- Obstetrics and Gynecology Department, USL Roma2, Sant'Eugenio Hospital, Rome, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Gullo
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Villa Sofia Cervello Hospital, IVF UNIT, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Enrico Marinelli
- Department of Anatomical, Histological, Forensic and Orthopedic Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
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Sugishita Y, Meng L, Suzuki-Takahashi Y, Nishimura S, Furuyama S, Uekawa A, Tozawa-Ono A, Migitaka-Igarashi J, Koizumi T, Seino H, Natsuki Y, Kubota M, Koike J, Edashige K, Suzuki N. Quantification of residual cryoprotectants and cytotoxicity in thawed bovine ovarian tissues after slow freezing or vitrification. Hum Reprod 2022; 37:522-533. [PMID: 34928342 DOI: 10.1093/humrep/deab274] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2021] [Revised: 11/17/2021] [Indexed: 09/27/2023] Open
Abstract
STUDY QUESTION How much residual cryoprotectant remains in thawed/warmed ovarian tissues after slow freezing or vitrification? SUMMARY ANSWER After thawing/warming, at least 60 min of diffusion washing in media was necessary to significantly reduce the residual cryoprotectants in ovarian tissues frozen by slow freezing or vitrification. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY Ovarian tissue cryopreservation (OTC) by slow freezing has been the conventional method; while the vitrification method has gained popularity for its practicality. The main concern about vitrification is how much potentially toxic residual cryoprotectant remains in the warmed tissues at the time of transplantation. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION This was an animal study using the ovarian tissues from 20 bovine ovaries. The duration of this study was from 2018 to 2020. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS Ovarian cortex tissues were prepared from 20 bovine ovaries and assigned randomly to groups of fresh (non-frozen) control, slow freezing with 1.5 M dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), 1.5 M 1,2-propanediol (PROH) and vitrification with 35% ethylene glycol (EG). The residual cryoprotectant concentrations in thawed/warmed tissues were measured by gas chromatography at the following time points: frozen (before thawing/warming), 0 min (immediately after thawing/warming), 30, 60 and 120 min after diffusion washing in media. Next, the ultrastructural changes of primordial follicles, granulosa cells, organelles and stromal cells in the ovarian tissues (1 mm × 1 mm × 1 mm) were examined in fresh (non-frozen) control, slow freezing with DMSO or PROH and vitrification with EG groups. Real-time quantitative PCR was carried out to examine the expressions of poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase-1 (PARP1), a DNA damage sensor and caspase-3 (CASP3), an apoptosis precursor, in thawed/warmed ovarian tissues that were washed for either 0 or 120 min and subsequently in tissues that were ex vivo cultured for 24 or 48 h. The same set of tissues were also used to analyze the protein expressions of gamma H2A histone family member X (γH2AX) for DNA double-strand breaks and activated caspase-3 (AC3) for apoptosis by immunohistochemistry. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE The residual cryoprotectant concentrations decreased with the extension of diffusion washing time. After 60 min washing, the differences of residual cryoprotectant between DMSO, PROH and EG were negligible (P > 0.05). This washing did not affect the tissue integrity or significantly elevate the percentage of AC3 and γH2AX positive cells, indicating that tissues are safe and of good quality for transplantation. LARGE SCALE DATA N/A. LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION Since the study was performed with ovarian tissues from bovines, generalizability to humans may be limited. Potential changes in ovarian tissue beyond 120 min were not investigated. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS This study addresses concerns about the cytotoxicity of EG in warmed ovarian tissues and could provide insights when devising a standard vitrification protocol for OTC. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S) The study was funded by a Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (B) from the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science to N.S.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yodo Sugishita
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, St. Marianna University, School of Medicine, Kawasaki, Kanagawa, Japan
- Department of Frontier Medicine, Institute of Medical Science, St. Marianna University, School of Medicine, Kawasaki, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Lingbo Meng
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, St. Marianna University, School of Medicine, Kawasaki, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Yuki Suzuki-Takahashi
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, St. Marianna University, School of Medicine, Kawasaki, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Sandy Nishimura
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, St. Marianna University, School of Medicine, Kawasaki, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Sayako Furuyama
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, St. Marianna University, School of Medicine, Kawasaki, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Atsushi Uekawa
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, St. Marianna University, School of Medicine, Kawasaki, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Akiko Tozawa-Ono
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, St. Marianna University, School of Medicine, Kawasaki, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Junko Migitaka-Igarashi
- Department of Anatomy, St. Marianna University, School of Medicine, Kawasaki, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Tomoe Koizumi
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, St. Marianna University, School of Medicine, Kawasaki, Kanagawa, Japan
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Dokkyo Medical University, Saitama Medical Center, Koshigaya, Saitama, Japan
| | - Hibiki Seino
- Department of Pathology, St. Marianna University, School of Medicine, Kawasaki, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Yasunori Natsuki
- Graduate School Facility of Electron Microscope Research, St. Marianna University, School of Medicine, Kawasaki, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Manabu Kubota
- Department of Pathology, St. Marianna University, School of Medicine, Kawasaki, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Junki Koike
- Department of Anatomy, St. Marianna University, School of Medicine, Kawasaki, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Keisuke Edashige
- Faculty of Agriculture and Marine Science, Department of Agricultural Chemistry, Kochi University, Nankoku, Kochi, Japan
| | - Nao Suzuki
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, St. Marianna University, School of Medicine, Kawasaki, Kanagawa, Japan
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The Natural Cryoprotectant Honey for Fertility Cryopreservation. Bioengineering (Basel) 2022; 9:bioengineering9030088. [PMID: 35324777 PMCID: PMC8945096 DOI: 10.3390/bioengineering9030088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2021] [Revised: 02/12/2022] [Accepted: 02/18/2022] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Honey is a mixture of 25 sugars with other bioactive substances (i.e., organic acids, enzymes, antioxidants, and vitamins) and has been known as a highly nutritious functional food. Traditionally, it has been widely used in medicinal applications to cure various diseases. The effectiveness of honey in different applications has been used for its antimicrobial activity, absorption of hydrops, cleansing, removing odor, assisting granulation, recovery of nutrition, and formation of tissue and epithelium, which proved that honey has dehydrating and preserving properties to make it ideal for the cryopreservation of cells and tissues. Cryopreservation is an advanced preservation technique for tissue, cells, organelles, or other biological specimen storage, performed by cooling the sample at a very low temperature. It is the most common approach to improved preserving fertility (sperm, embryos, and oocytes) in different species that may undergo various life-threatening illnesses and allows for the genetic screening of these cells to test the sample for diseases before use. However, with toxic cryoprotectant (CPA), cryopreservation of fertility has been challenging because of their particular structure and sensitivity to chilling. Honey’s unique composition, as well as its dehydrating and preserving properties, qualify it to be used as a natural cryoprotectant. The aim of this study is to emphasize the ability of honey as a natural cryoprotectant in cryopreservation. The articles for this review were searched from Google Scholar, PubMed, Science Direct, Web of Science, and Scopus, using the keywords, honey, cryopreservation, natural cryoprotectant/CPAs, extenders, and fertility. Honey, as a natural cryoprotectant in fertility cryopreservation, yielded satisfactory results, with respect to improved post-thaw quality and viability. It is now proved as a non-toxic and highly efficient natural cryoprotectant in fertility preservation because its increasing viscosity at low temperature can provide a protective barrier to cells by reducing ice formation. Furthermore, its antioxidant property plays a vital role in protecting the cells from thermal damage by reducing the reactive oxygen species (ROS). This review provides a road map for future studies to investigate the potential of honey in the cryopreservation of other cells and tissue and contribute to the scientific research, regarding this remarkable natural product.
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Marschalek J, Egarter C, Nouri K, Dekan S, Ott J, Frank M, Pietrowski D. The effect of different vitrification protocols on cell survival in human ovarian tissue: a pilot study. J Ovarian Res 2021; 14:170. [PMID: 34872604 PMCID: PMC8650246 DOI: 10.1186/s13048-021-00924-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2021] [Accepted: 11/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Vitrification has superseded the slow freezing method for cryopreservation of oocytes, embryos, and sperm, but there are as yet no standard protocols for its use in ovarian tissue cryopreservation (OTC). Published protocols diverge mainly with regard to the extent of supplementation of dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) to the vitrification medium, and to the use of an open or closed vitrification system. We investigated the viability of cells after vitrification/warming, using ovarian tissue of transgender patients, by means of Fluorescence Activated Cells Sorting (FACS), and histomorphological analyses using a DMSO-containing (P1) and a DMSO-free protocol (P2) in an open or closed vitrification setting. Results Twelve ovarian samples were donated from female-to-male transgender patients: 6 were vitrified according to protocol 1, the other 6 according to protocol 2. The amount of viable cells was 90.1% (P1) and 88.4% (P2) before vitrification. After vitrification and subsequent warming, viable cells were reduced to 82.9% (P1, p = 0.093) and 72.4% (P2, p = 0.019). When comparing the closed and the open systems, the decline in cell viability from pre- to post-vitrification was significant only for the latter (p = 0.037). Histological examination reveals no significant differences with respect to degenerated follicles before or after vitrification. Conclusion These results led us to conclude that a protocol containing DMSO results in a higher viability of ovarian cells than a protocol that uses ethylene glycol as cryoprotective agent in vitrification. The use of an open vitrification system led to significant decline in the rate of viable cells. Trial registration NCT03649087, retrospectively registered 28.08.2018.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Marschalek
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical University of Vienna, Spitalgasse 23, 1090, Vienna, Austria
| | - C Egarter
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical University of Vienna, Spitalgasse 23, 1090, Vienna, Austria
| | - K Nouri
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical University of Vienna, Spitalgasse 23, 1090, Vienna, Austria
| | - S Dekan
- Clinical Institute of Pathology, Medical University of Vienna, Spitalgasse 230, 1090, Vienna, Austria
| | - J Ott
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical University of Vienna, Spitalgasse 23, 1090, Vienna, Austria.
| | - M Frank
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical University of Vienna, Spitalgasse 23, 1090, Vienna, Austria
| | - D Pietrowski
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical University of Vienna, Spitalgasse 23, 1090, Vienna, Austria
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Kervancıoğlu G, Kervancıoğlu Demirci E, Çetinel Ş. A newly developed carrier for the vitrification of prepubertal testicular tissue and its comparison with four different carriers. Reprod Biomed Online 2021; 44:1071-1078. [DOI: 10.1016/j.rbmo.2021.12.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2021] [Revised: 11/03/2021] [Accepted: 12/02/2021] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
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Wang J, Zhang Y, Wu C, Li P, Zhang Z, Xu X, Zhou P, Cao Y. Effects of AavLEA1 Protein on Mouse Ovarian Tissue Cryopreservation by Vitrification. Biopreserv Biobank 2021; 20:168-175. [PMID: 34788107 DOI: 10.1089/bio.2021.0048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Conventional ovarian tissue cryopreservation often destroys the structural, functional, and DNA integrity of the ovarian tissue. How to effectively retain the ultrastructure and subsequent function of ovarian tissue during cryopreservation has long been an issue of concern. Late embryogenesis abundant (LEA) proteins are a class of highly hydrophilic proteins and have been reported to protect various cells from water stress. However, whether LEA proteins exert protective effects on ovarian tissue cryopreservation remains unknown. To investigate the benefit of LEA proteins in ovarian tissue cryopreservation, we purified the recombinant AavLEA1 protein, a member of Group 3 LEA proteins, then cryopreserved the mouse ovaries with this protein by vitrification, and obtained the ovarian follicle structure, cellular proliferation, apoptosis, and GAPDH gene expression of postcryopreservation ovaries. We found that recombinant AavLEA1 protein protected the ovarian follicles from cryoinjury, improved the proliferative ability of follicles, decreased the apoptosis, and promoted the GAPDH gene expression. These results indicated that the LEA protein enhanced the antiapoptosis ability of ovarian cells and retained DNA/RNA integrity against cryoinjury during ovarian tissue vitrification. LEA proteins exert beneficial effects on ovarian tissue cryopreservation, and maybe provide a novel cryoprotective agent for ovarian tissue cryopreservation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianye Wang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Reproductive Medicine Center, First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China.,Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health and Genetics, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China.,Anhui Provincial Engineering Technology Research Center for Biopreservation and Artificial Organs, Hefei, China
| | - Yameng Zhang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Reproductive Medicine Center, First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China.,Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health and Genetics, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China.,Anhui Provincial Engineering Technology Research Center for Biopreservation and Artificial Organs, Hefei, China
| | - Caiyun Wu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Reproductive Medicine Center, First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China.,Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health and Genetics, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China.,Anhui Provincial Engineering Technology Research Center for Biopreservation and Artificial Organs, Hefei, China
| | - Peng Li
- Medical Affair Department, First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Zhiguo Zhang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Reproductive Medicine Center, First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China.,Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health and Genetics, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China.,Anhui Provincial Engineering Technology Research Center for Biopreservation and Artificial Organs, Hefei, China
| | - Xiaofeng Xu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Reproductive Medicine Center, First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China.,Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health and Genetics, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China.,Anhui Provincial Engineering Technology Research Center for Biopreservation and Artificial Organs, Hefei, China
| | - Ping Zhou
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Reproductive Medicine Center, First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China.,Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health and Genetics, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China.,Anhui Provincial Engineering Technology Research Center for Biopreservation and Artificial Organs, Hefei, China
| | - Yunxia Cao
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Reproductive Medicine Center, First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China.,Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health and Genetics, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China.,Anhui Provincial Engineering Technology Research Center for Biopreservation and Artificial Organs, Hefei, China
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Grin L, Vo KCT, Sato Y, Mizrachi Y, Kohara M, Sankai T, Kawamura K. Ageing and chronic disease-related changes in the morphometric characteristics of ovarian follicles in cynomolgus monkeys (Macaca fascicularis). Hum Reprod 2021; 36:2732-2742. [PMID: 34411244 DOI: 10.1093/humrep/deab191] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2021] [Revised: 06/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
STUDY QUESTION How is the localisation of ovarian follicles affected by ageing and chronic diseases? SUMMARY ANSWER Ovarian follicles shift deeper towards the medulla, due to thickening of the tunica albuginea (TA), with ageing and some major common chronic diseases. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY The ovary undergoes morphological and functional changes with ageing. The follicular pool follows these changes with alterations in the amount and distribution of residual follicles. Diseases causing a chronic inflammatory process are associated with morphological changes and impaired ovarian function. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION We conducted a cross-sectional study, examining 90 ovaries from 90 female monkeys. The samples were collected from April 2018 to March 2019 at Tsukuba Primate Research Center in National Institutes of Biomedical Innovation, Health and Nutrition, Japan. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS Ovarian samples were obtained from cynomolgus monkeys that died from natural causes or were euthanised. Ovarian sections were stained with haematoxylin and eosin (H&E) for histological analyses. In ovarian sections from 64 female macaques aged 0-25 years, a total of 13 743 follicles at different developmental stages (primordial, intermediary, primary, early secondary and late secondary) were assessed to determine the depth of each follicle from the outer surface of the ovarian cortex to the far end of the follicle, by using a digital imaging software. TA thickness was measured as sum of basal membrane and tunica collagen layer for each ovary under H&E staining. To explore the possibility of age-related trends in ovarian morphometric characteristics, samples were divided into four different age groups (0-3 years (pre-menarche), 4-9 years, 10-14 years and 15-20 years). To evaluate the effect of common chronic diseases on ovarian morphometric characteristics, macaques with diabetes mellitus (DM) (n = 10), endometriosis (n = 8) or inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) (n = 8) were compared to age-matched controls without chronic diseases. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE Ovarian morphometric analysis revealed that the relative location of follicles became deeper in all age groups according to development of follicles (P < 0.05). Total follicle distance from the ovarian surface was increased with ageing (P < 0.05). In a sub-analysis according to developmental stage, only primordial and intermediary follicles were localised deeper with increasing age (P < 0.05). TA thickness was also increased with ageing (P < 0.05). The localisation of the total number of follicles became deeper in ovaries from monkeys with DM, endometriosis or IBD as compared to the control group (P < 0.05). With DM, analysis of follicles distance at almost each developmental stage was significantly deeper compared to controls (P < 0.05) with the exception of early secondary follicles. With endometriosis, follicles at primary and early and late secondary stages were significantly deeper compared to controls (P < 0.05). Also with IBD, follicles at primary and early and late secondary follicles were significantly deeper compared to controls (P < 0.001). The TA was thicker with DM and endometriosis compared to controls (P < 0.05), but not with IBD (P = 0.16). LARGE SCALE DATA NA. LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION Two-dimensional histology was used to assess follicle localisation. The possibility of minimal variations between the measured distance to the actual distance in a spherical structure cannot be excluded. Additionally, the severity of disease was not assessed. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS This study is the first step towards enhancing our understanding of how ageing and chronic diseases affect the relative localisation of dormant and developing follicles. These observations, combined with possible future human studies, may have managerial implications in the field of fertility preservation and other conditions involving ovarian tissue cryopreservation. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S) The present work was supported by the Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research B (19H03801) (to K.K.), Challenging Exploratory Research (18K19624), Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development, Mochida Memorial Foundation for Medical and Pharmaceutical Research, Takeda Science Foundation and Naito Foundation (to K.K.). All authors have no conflicts of interest directly relevant to the content of this article.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Grin
- Advanced Reproductive Medicine Research Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, International University of Health and Welfare School of Medicine, Chiba, Japan.,Assisted Reproductive Technology Unit, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Barzilai University Medical Center, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Ashkelon Campus, Ashkelon, Israel
| | - K C T Vo
- Graduate School of Medicine, International University of Health and Welfare School of Medicine, Chiba, Japan
| | - Y Sato
- Advanced Reproductive Medicine Research Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, International University of Health and Welfare School of Medicine, Chiba, Japan
| | - Y Mizrachi
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Edith Wolfson Medical Center, Holon, Affiliated With Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - M Kohara
- Tsukuba Primate Research Center, National Institutes of Biomedical Innovation, Department of Health and Nutrition, Tsukuba-shi, Ibaraki, Japan
| | - T Sankai
- Tsukuba Primate Research Center, National Institutes of Biomedical Innovation, Department of Health and Nutrition, Tsukuba-shi, Ibaraki, Japan
| | - K Kawamura
- Advanced Reproductive Medicine Research Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, International University of Health and Welfare School of Medicine, Chiba, Japan.,Graduate School of Medicine, International University of Health and Welfare School of Medicine, Chiba, Japan
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Praxedes ÉCG, Bezerra LGP, Moreira SSJ, Santos CS, Brasil AV, Silva AMD, Guerreiro DD, Pereira AF, Rodrigues APR, Silva AR. Microbiological load and preantral follicle preservation using different systems for ovarian tissue vitrification in the red-rumped agouti. Cryobiology 2021; 103:123-128. [PMID: 34454959 DOI: 10.1016/j.cryobiol.2021.08.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2021] [Revised: 07/21/2021] [Accepted: 08/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
We evaluated the effect of open and closed systems used for ovarian tissue vitrification on the microbiological load and preservation of preantral follicles (PAFs) in the red-rumped agoutis. The ovaries from eight females were recovered and fragmented, with four cortexes fragments immediately fixed and evaluated (fresh group). The other fragments were processed for the solid-surface vitrification method (SSV) or an ovarian tissue cryosystem (OTC) using fetal calf serum, ethylene glycol, and sucrose as cryoprotectants, stored for two weeks, and rewarmed. Subsequently, fragments were subjected to a 24-h in vitro culture and assessed for microbiological load, PAF morphology, and DNA integrity. There was no fungal contamination; however, the vitrified samples from two individuals showed bacterial contamination of 79 200 colony forming units per milliliter (CFU)/mL for SSV and 3120 CFU/mL for OTC. From those samples, a total of eight different types of bacterial colonies were isolated and identified as coagulase-negative Staphylococci and Gram-positive bacilli. Regarding PAF morphology, both systems provided adequate preservation, with values higher than 70% normal follicles observed before and after culture. The TUNEL assay revealed that both SSV (52.39%) and OTC (41.67%) could preserve DNA integrity after vitrification and after 24 h of culture. In summary, both open and closed systems were equally efficient in preserving agouti ovarian tissues, especially concerning the preantral follicle morphology and DNA integrity; however, the OTC seems to provide a less adequate environment for bacterial proliferation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Érica Camila Gurgel Praxedes
- Laboratory on Animal Germplasm Conservation, Universidade Federal Rural Do Semi-Árido (UFERSA), BR 110, Km 47, Costa e Silva, 59625-900, Mossoró, RN, Brazil
| | - Luana Grasiele Pereira Bezerra
- Laboratory on Animal Germplasm Conservation, Universidade Federal Rural Do Semi-Árido (UFERSA), BR 110, Km 47, Costa e Silva, 59625-900, Mossoró, RN, Brazil
| | - Samara Sandy Jeronimo Moreira
- Laboratory on Animal Germplasm Conservation, Universidade Federal Rural Do Semi-Árido (UFERSA), BR 110, Km 47, Costa e Silva, 59625-900, Mossoró, RN, Brazil
| | - Caio Sergio Santos
- Laboratory on Animal Germplasm Conservation, Universidade Federal Rural Do Semi-Árido (UFERSA), BR 110, Km 47, Costa e Silva, 59625-900, Mossoró, RN, Brazil
| | - Andreza Vieira Brasil
- Laboratory on Animal Germplasm Conservation, Universidade Federal Rural Do Semi-Árido (UFERSA), BR 110, Km 47, Costa e Silva, 59625-900, Mossoró, RN, Brazil
| | - Andréia Maria da Silva
- Laboratory on Animal Germplasm Conservation, Universidade Federal Rural Do Semi-Árido (UFERSA), BR 110, Km 47, Costa e Silva, 59625-900, Mossoró, RN, Brazil
| | - Denise Damasceno Guerreiro
- Laboratory of Manipulation of Oocytes and Preantral Follicles (LAMOFOPA), Faculdade de Veterinária, Universidade Do Ceara, Av. Paranjana 1700, Campus Do Itaperi, 60714-903, Fortaleza, CE, Brazil
| | | | - Ana Paula Ribeiro Rodrigues
- Laboratory of Manipulation of Oocytes and Preantral Follicles (LAMOFOPA), Faculdade de Veterinária, Universidade Do Ceara, Av. Paranjana 1700, Campus Do Itaperi, 60714-903, Fortaleza, CE, Brazil
| | - Alexandre Rodrigues Silva
- Laboratory on Animal Germplasm Conservation, Universidade Federal Rural Do Semi-Árido (UFERSA), BR 110, Km 47, Costa e Silva, 59625-900, Mossoró, RN, Brazil.
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Ramos L, Galbinski S, Nacul A, Jiménez MF, Frantz N, Bos-Mikich A. Detailed Morphological Analysis of Cryoinjury in Human Ovarian Tissue Following Vitrification or Slow Freezing. Reprod Sci 2021; 29:2374-2381. [PMID: 34398410 DOI: 10.1007/s43032-021-00716-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2021] [Accepted: 08/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Cryopreservation of human ovarian tissue represents a key procedure for fertility preservation. The two most widely used cryopreservation methods for human ovarian cortex samples are slow freezing\thawing (SF\T) and vitrification\warming (V\W). The aim of the present study was to analyze the effects of SF\T and V\W using a metal chamber, on specific follicle and oocyte structures and on the stromal organization post-cryopreservation. We did histology analysis of SF\T and V\W ovarian fragments from nine healthy subjects. Overall results showed that cryopreserved tissues presented significant rates of damage in primordial and primary follicles. Altered nuclear structure of primordial follicles and cell detachment from primordial and primary follicles were the main injuries observed after V/W and SF/T. The stromal components were similarly well preserved after cryopreservation. We conclude that both cryopreservation methods may be used for fertility preservation purposes with similar outcomes in terms of follicular and stromal integrity. Detachment of follicle cells from basal membrane represents an important cryoinjury that deserves further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Ramos
- Department of Morphological Sciences, ICBS, Federal University of Rio Grande Do Sul, Rua Sarmento Leite 500, Porto Alegre, RS, 90050-170, Brazil
| | | | - A Nacul
- FÊMINA Hospital, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - M F Jiménez
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Federal University of Health Sciences of Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - N Frantz
- Nilo Frantz Research and Human Reproduction Center, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - A Bos-Mikich
- Department of Morphological Sciences, ICBS, Federal University of Rio Grande Do Sul, Rua Sarmento Leite 500, Porto Alegre, RS, 90050-170, Brazil.
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Beschta S, Eubler K, Bohne N, Forne I, Berg D, Berg U, Mayerhofer A. A rapid and robust method for the cryopreservation of human granulosa cells. Histochem Cell Biol 2021; 156:509-517. [PMID: 34313845 PMCID: PMC8604824 DOI: 10.1007/s00418-021-02019-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Human primary granulosa cells (GCs) derived from women undergoing oocyte retrieval can be cultured and used as a cellular model for the study of human ovarian function. In vitro, they change rapidly, initially resembling cells of the preovulatory follicle and then cells of the corpus luteum. They are derived from individual patients, whose different medical history, lifestyle and age lead to heterogeneity. Thus, cells can rarely be ideally matched for cellular experiments or, if available, only in small quantities. We reasoned that cryopreservation of human GCs may be helpful to improve this situation. Previous studies indicated the feasibility of such an approach, but low survival of human GCs was reported, and effects on human GC functionality were only partially evaluated. We tested a slow freezing protocol (employing FCS and DMSO) for human GCs upon isolation from follicular fluid. We compared cryopreserved and subsequently thawed cells with fresh, non-cryopreserved cells from the same patients. About 80% of human GCs survived freezing/thawing. No differences were found in cell morphology, survival rate in culture, or transcript levels of mitochondrial (COX4, OPA1, TOMM20), steroidogenic (CYP11A1, CYP19A1) or cell-cell contact genes (GJA1) between the two groups in cells cultured for 1-5 days. A proteomic analysis revealed no statistically significant change in the abundance of a total of 5962 proteins. The two groups produced comparable basal levels of progesterone and responded similarly to hCG with elevation of progesterone. Taken together, our results show this to be a rapid and readily available method for the cryopreservation of human GCs. We anticipate that it will allow future large-scale experiments and may thereby improve cellular studies with human ovarian cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Beschta
- Cell Biology, Anatomy III, Faculty of Medicine, Biomedical Center Munich (BMC), Ludwig-Maximilian-University (LMU), 82152, Martinsried, Germany
- Fertility Centre A.R.T. Bogenhausen, 81675, Munich, Germany
| | - Katja Eubler
- Cell Biology, Anatomy III, Faculty of Medicine, Biomedical Center Munich (BMC), Ludwig-Maximilian-University (LMU), 82152, Martinsried, Germany
| | - Nancy Bohne
- Fertility Centre A.R.T. Bogenhausen, 81675, Munich, Germany
| | - Ignasi Forne
- Protein Analysis Unit, Faculty of Medicine, Biomedical Center Munich (BMC), Ludwig-Maximilian-University (LMU), 82152, Martinsried, Germany
| | - Dieter Berg
- Fertility Centre A.R.T. Bogenhausen, 81675, Munich, Germany
| | - Ulrike Berg
- Fertility Centre A.R.T. Bogenhausen, 81675, Munich, Germany
| | - Artur Mayerhofer
- Cell Biology, Anatomy III, Faculty of Medicine, Biomedical Center Munich (BMC), Ludwig-Maximilian-University (LMU), 82152, Martinsried, Germany.
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Vitrification of Dog Skin Tissue as a Source of Mesenchymal Stem Cells. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2021; 2021:1340281. [PMID: 34336999 PMCID: PMC8289570 DOI: 10.1155/2021/1340281] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2021] [Revised: 06/22/2021] [Accepted: 07/05/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to develop an efficient vitrification system for cryopreservation of dog skin tissues as a source of stable autologous stem cells. In this study, we performed vitrification using four different cryoprotectants, namely, ethylene glycol (EG), dimethyl-sulfoxide (Me2SO), EG plus Me2SO, and EG plus Me2SO plus sucrose, and analyzed the behaviors of cells established from warmed tissues. Tissues vitrified with 15% EG, 15% Me2SO, and 0.5 M sucrose had a normal histological appearance and the highest cell viability after cell isolation, and thus, this cocktail of cryoprotectants was used in subsequent experiments. We evaluated proliferation and apoptosis of cells derived from fresh and vitrified tissues. These cells had a normal spindle-like morphology after homogenization through subculture. Dog dermal skin stem cells (dDSSCs) derived from fresh and vitrified tissues had similar proliferation capacities, and similar percentages of these cells were positive for mesenchymal stem cell markers at passage 3. The percentage of apoptotic cell did not differ between dDSSCs derived from fresh and vitrified tissues. Real-time PCR analysis revealed that dDSSCs at passage 3 derived from fresh and vitrified tissues had similar expression levels of pluripotency (OCT4, SOX2, and NANOG), proapoptotic (BAX), and antiapoptotic (BCL2 and BIRC5) genes. Both types of dDSSCs successfully differentiated into the mesenchymal lineage (adipocytes and osteocytes) under specific conditions, and their differentiation potentials did not significantly differ. Furthermore, the mitochondrial membrane potential of dDSSCs derived from vitrified tissues was comparable with that of dDSSCs derived from fresh tissues. We conclude that vitrification of dog skin tissues using cocktail solution in combination of 15% EG, 15% Me2SO, and 0.5 M sucrose allows efficient banking of these tissues for regenerative stem cell therapy and conservation of genetic resources.
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Kong HS, Hong YH, Lee J, Youm HW, Lee JR, Suh CS, Kim SH. Antifreeze Protein Supplementation During the Warming of Vitrified Bovine Ovarian Tissue Can Improve the Ovarian Tissue Quality After Xenotransplantation. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2021; 12:672619. [PMID: 34122348 PMCID: PMC8194858 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2021.672619] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2021] [Accepted: 05/11/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The occurrence of ice crystallization during ovarian tissue (OT) cryopreservation causes unavoidable cryodamage, and ice recrystallization during the warming is more detrimental than ice crystallization. Here, we investigated that antifreeze protein (AFP) treatment during the warming procedure can improve the bovine OT quality after xenotransplantation (XT). Bovine OTs (n=120) were evenly assigned to four groups: fresh, vitrified-warmed, vitrified-warmed with 10 mg/mL Leucosporidium ice-binding protein (LeIBP, a type of AFP) (LeIBP-10), and vitrified-warmed with 20 mg/mL LeIBP (LeiBP-20). LeIBPs were added to the first warming solution. Twenty pieces of OTs were assigned to each category. The remaining 10 OTs from each category were assigned to the XT-Fresh control, XT-Vitrified-warmed control, XT-LeIBP-10, and XT-LeIBP-20 groups, respectively, and xenotransplanted to 9-week-old ovariectomized nude mice for one week. LeIBP treatment during the warming step increased morphological follicle normality and decreased apoptotic follicle ratios after vitrification-warming and XT. The XT-vitrified-warmed control group showed significantly reduced microvessel density and increased fibrosis when compared to that of the XT-fresh group. Microvessel density and fibrosis were recovered in both LeIBP treated groups. There was no significant difference between the LeIBP-10 and LeIBP-20 groups in all outcomes. AFP treatment during the warming procedure can prevent OT damage, and improve ovarian follicle morphology and apoptosis in both the vitrified-warmed bovine OT and its graft. After confirmation in a human study, AFPs can potentially be applied to human OT cryopreservation to reduce cryodamage and improve the OT quality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hyun Sun Kong
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seongnam, South Korea
| | - Yeon Hee Hong
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seongnam, South Korea
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Jaewang Lee
- Department of Biomedical Laboratory Sciences, Eulji University, Seongnam, South Korea
| | - Hye Won Youm
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seongnam, South Korea
| | - Jung Ryeol Lee
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seongnam, South Korea
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Chang Suk Suh
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seongnam, South Korea
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Seok Hyun Kim
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
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Son YB, Jeong YI, Jeong YW, Yu X, Cai L, Choi EJ, Hossein MS, Tinson A, Singh KK, Rajesh S, Noura AS, Hwang WS. Vitrification of camel skin tissue for use as a resource for somatic cell nuclear transfer in Camelus dromedarius. In Vitro Cell Dev Biol Anim 2021; 57:487-492. [PMID: 34014457 PMCID: PMC8205866 DOI: 10.1007/s11626-021-00590-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2021] [Accepted: 05/02/2021] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Young-Bum Son
- UAE Biotech Research Center, 30310 Al Wathba, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Yeon Ik Jeong
- UAE Biotech Research Center, 30310 Al Wathba, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Yeon Woo Jeong
- UAE Biotech Research Center, 30310 Al Wathba, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Xianfeng Yu
- Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Model, College of Animal Science, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Lian Cai
- UAE Biotech Research Center, 30310 Al Wathba, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Eun Ji Choi
- UAE Biotech Research Center, 30310 Al Wathba, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | | | - Alex Tinson
- Hilli E.T. Cloning and Surgical Centre Presidential Camels and Camel Racing Affairs, 17292, Al-Ain, United Arab Emirates
| | - Kuhad Kuldip Singh
- Hilli E.T. Cloning and Surgical Centre Presidential Camels and Camel Racing Affairs, 17292, Al-Ain, United Arab Emirates
| | - Singh Rajesh
- Hilli E.T. Cloning and Surgical Centre Presidential Camels and Camel Racing Affairs, 17292, Al-Ain, United Arab Emirates
| | - Al Shamsi Noura
- Hilli E.T. Cloning and Surgical Centre Presidential Camels and Camel Racing Affairs, 17292, Al-Ain, United Arab Emirates
| | - Woo Suk Hwang
- UAE Biotech Research Center, 30310 Al Wathba, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
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Auth CA, Hopkins BK. Nitrogen vapor immersion: An accessible alternative for honey bee (Apis mellifera L.) semen cryopreservation. Cryobiology 2021; 100:12-18. [PMID: 33895149 DOI: 10.1016/j.cryobiol.2021.04.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2021] [Revised: 04/14/2021] [Accepted: 04/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Semen cryopreservation is a valuable conservation tool and is often used in livestock species to accelerate artificial selection of desirable traits. Recently, semen cryopreservation has been successfully introduced to honey bees, bolstering trait selection for breeders and aiding conservation efforts for threatened bee populations. Current cryopreservation methods use slow-programmable freezing to achieve long-term storage of honey bee germplasm. However, the equipment necessary for this method is costly and time consuming to use, making it less accessible to breeders and researchers. We tested two cost and time efficient alternatives to slow-programmable freezing, vitrification and vapor immersion using two freezing devices, the CryoLock and microdialysis tube. Semen was preserved in either 20, 40, or 60% dimethyl sulfoxide (Me2SO). The post-thaw sperm viability (% living sperm) and subjective motility (0-5 scale) of these techniques were compared to those of slow-programmable frozen semen and non-frozen controls. Semen frozen in microdialysis tubes produced higher motility and sperm viability than semen frozen with the CryoLock device. The same trend was observed between vapor immersion and vitrification, with vapor immersion proving superior. Vapor immersed semen dialyzed with 20% Me2SO produced statistically similar sperm motility (4 ± 0.41) and viability (73.51% ± 5.56%) to slow-programmable freezing (4.25 ± 0.25, 80.61% ± 4.20%) and the non-frozen control (4.5 ± 0.28, 93.39% ± 0.90%). Optimization of the dialysis process and freezing rate may further increase the post-thaw sperm quality. Nonetheless, these results show promise for an effective replacement to slow-programmable freezing that maintains high sperm quality while increasing accessibility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Connor Anthony Auth
- Department of Entomology, Washington State University, PO Box 646382, Pullman, WA, 99164-6382, USA.
| | - Brandon Kingsley Hopkins
- Department of Entomology, Washington State University, PO Box 646382, Pullman, WA, 99164-6382, USA.
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Galbinski S, Kowalewski LS, Grigolo GB, da Silva LR, Jiménez MF, Krause M, Frantz N, Bös-Mikich A. Comparison between two cryopreservation techniques of human ovarian cortex: morphological aspects and the heat shock response (HSR). Cell Stress Chaperones 2021; 27:97-106. [PMID: 35043289 PMCID: PMC8943117 DOI: 10.1007/s12192-022-01252-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2021] [Revised: 01/05/2022] [Accepted: 01/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/03/2022] Open
Abstract
This study was tailored to compare the cryopreservation of the human ovarian cortex using closed metal container vitrification or the slow-freezing technique. Superficial ovarian cortical tissue biopsies were collected from 12 participants who underwent gynaecological videolaparoscopy. The fragmented samples were allocated to three experimental conditions: (a) fresh ovarian tissue, (b) slow-freezing, and (c) vitrification with a metal closed container. After thawing or rewarming, cellular morphological analyses were performed to determine tissue viability. The cellular response to thermal stress was measured by a putative increase in the immune quantification of the heat shock protein 70 kDa (heat shock protein 70 kDa response - HSR) after a heat challenge (2 h exposure at 42 °C). Both the total number of intact follicles and the frequency of primordial follicles were higher in fresh ovarian tissue than in the preserved samples, regardless of the technique employed. There was a trend towards an increase in the absolute number of intact follicles in the tissue preserved by vitrification. After cryopreservation, a higher HSR was obtained after slow-freezing. These results indicate that both cryopreservation techniques present advantages and may be used as alternatives to ovarian tissue cryopreservation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sérgio Galbinski
- Unidade de Reprodução Humana, Hospital Fêmina, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
- Programa de Pós-graduação em Ginecologia e Obstetrícia da Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sull, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - Lucas Stahlhöfer Kowalewski
- Laboratory of Inflammation, Metabolism and Exercise Research (LAPIMEX) and Laboratory of Cellular Physiology, Department of Physiology, Institute of Basic Health Sciences, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - Gisele Bettú Grigolo
- Laboratory of Inflammation, Metabolism and Exercise Research (LAPIMEX) and Laboratory of Cellular Physiology, Department of Physiology, Institute of Basic Health Sciences, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - Larissa Ramos da Silva
- Instituto de Ciencias Basicas da Saude, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - Mirela Foresti Jiménez
- Unidade de Reprodução Humana, Hospital Fêmina, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
- Programa de Pós-graduação em Ginecologia e Obstetrícia da Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sull, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
- Universidade Federal de Ciências da Saúde de Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - Mauricio Krause
- Laboratory of Inflammation, Metabolism and Exercise Research (LAPIMEX) and Laboratory of Cellular Physiology, Department of Physiology, Institute of Basic Health Sciences, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil.
| | - Nilo Frantz
- Nilo Frantz Medicina Reprodutiva, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - Adriana Bös-Mikich
- Instituto de Ciencias Basicas da Saude, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
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Davis AC, Richards EG, Arian SE, Falcone T, Desai N, Yao M, Chiesa-Vottero A, Flyckt R. Diverse Approaches to Ovarian Tissue Cryopreservation Have Equivalent Outcomes in Markers of Tissue Viability. Reprod Sci 2021; 28:2129-2135. [PMID: 33599949 DOI: 10.1007/s43032-021-00486-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2020] [Accepted: 02/02/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Ovarian tissue cryopreservation (OTC) is an accepted method of fertility preservation. However, OTC is not standardized and many variations exist in the freezing strategy, tissue processing, and surgical approach. In this pilot study, we used a sheep model to compare slow freezing versus vitrification techniques, as well as the feasibility of processing ovarian tissue into a hyaluronan suspension of small ovarian units. Twelve ovaries were harvested from six female ewes. Paired tissues from each animal were assigned to different treatments and underwent freezing, thawing, autotransplantation, and second-look surgery, for a total of 18 surgical procedures and 3 measured time points. Treatments included whole tissue strips versus gel suspension and slow freezing versus vitrification. At each of the time points, tissue viability was measured by immunohistochemical analysis of CD31 and cleaved caspase-3 (CCASP3). CD31 and CCASP3 expression levels were equivalent between slow freezing and vitrification, and between whole ovarian tissue strips and gel suspension of fragmented ovarian tissue, at all time points. These preliminary data using a sheep model suggest that ovarian tissue is robust and likely to be minimally affected by aggressive fragmentation using a hyaluronan suspension. Furthermore, we provide evidence in support of vitrification as a viable option in OTC. Hyaluronan suspension of ovarian cortical fragments is novel and may represent a desirable method for reimplantation of frozen-thawed ovarian tissue in patients where occult malignant cells are a concern.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne Cashmore Davis
- Women's Health Institute, Cleveland Clinic, 9500 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, OH, 44915, USA
| | - Elliott G Richards
- Women's Health Institute, Cleveland Clinic, 9500 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, OH, 44915, USA.
| | - Sara E Arian
- Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Tommaso Falcone
- Women's Health Institute, Cleveland Clinic, 9500 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, OH, 44915, USA
| | - Nina Desai
- Women's Health Institute, Cleveland Clinic, 9500 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, OH, 44915, USA
| | - Meng Yao
- Department of Qualitative Health Sciences, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, 44195, USA
| | - Andres Chiesa-Vottero
- Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Institute, Cleveland Clinic, 9500 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Rebecca Flyckt
- Women's Health Institute, Cleveland Clinic, 9500 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, OH, 44915, USA.,Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, University Hospitals, 1000 Auburn Dr., Suite 310, Beachwood, OH, 44122, USA
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Passive slow freezing is an efficacious and cost-effective alternative to controlled slow freezing for ovarian tissue cryopreservation. Cryobiology 2021; 100:164-172. [PMID: 33485899 DOI: 10.1016/j.cryobiol.2021.01.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2020] [Revised: 12/23/2020] [Accepted: 01/18/2021] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
We aimed to assess the feasibility of passive slow freezing (PSF using Mr. Frosty container, Nalgene) as an alternative to controlled slow rate freezing (CSF using (Freezal™, Air liquide)) for human ovarian tissue (OT) cryopreservation. Validation studies needed were determined after assessing the risk associated (EuroGTP-II ART tool) and were conducted in 66 OT samples from 10 transgender men aged 23.4 ± 5.1 y. Folliculogenesis was assessed in vitro (after 2 h and 2 days of culture) and in vivo (2, 4 and 6 weeks xenotransplantation in Balbc/nude mice) by haematoxilin-eosin staining. Fibrosis was assessed by Masson's trichrome staining. Immunohistochemistry was used to study cell proliferation (PCNA and Ki-67) and apoptosis (caspase-3 and TUNEL). Differences in percentages were estimated using a generalized estimated equations method. After 2 days of in vitro culture, higher odds of primordial follicles (PF) (OR 1.626; 95%CI (1.162-2.266); P = 0.004) and lower odds of growing follicles (GF) (OR 0.616; 95%CI (0.441-0.861); P = 0.004) were associated with the established CSF technique. No statistical differences were found in the mean estimated proportion of proliferating (Ki-67+ or PCNA+) or apoptotic (caspase-3+ or Tunel+) follicles. Two and 6 weeks after xenotransplantation, respectively lower odds of GF (OR 0.419; 95%CI (0.217-0.809); P = 0.010) and secondary follicles (OR 0.135; 95%CI (0.071-0.255); P < 0.001) were associated with CSF. Proportion of fibrosis was similar. This validation study shows a higher follicle activation after 2 days in vitro and after 2 weeks following xenotransplantation in mice using PSF. PSF may be an easy, cost-effective low-risk alternative to CSF for cryopreservation of human OT.
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40
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Choi SR, Lee J, Seo YJ, Kong HS, Kim M, Jin E, Lee JR, Lee JH. Molecular basis of ice-binding and cryopreservation activities of type III antifreeze proteins. Comput Struct Biotechnol J 2021; 19:897-909. [PMID: 33598104 PMCID: PMC7851773 DOI: 10.1016/j.csbj.2021.01.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2020] [Revised: 01/13/2021] [Accepted: 01/14/2021] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The QAE2ACT and SP ACT mutants showed full TH and IRI activities. Active AFPs effectively preserved intact follicle and prevented DSB damage. Active AFPs exhibited unique structural feature in the first 310 helix of the IBS. Unique structure of the IBS determines TH, IRI, and cryopreservation activities.
Antifreeze proteins (AFPs) can inhibit the freezing of body fluid at subzero temperatures to promote the survival of various organisms living in polar regions. Type III AFPs are categorized into three subgroups, QAE1, QAE2, and SP isoforms, based on differences in their isoelectric points. We determined the thermal hysteresis (TH), ice recrystallization inhibition (IRI), and cryopreservation activity of three isoforms of the notched-fin eelpout AFP and their mutant constructs and characterized their structural and dynamic features using NMR. The QAE1 isoform is the most active among the three classes of III AFP isoforms, and the mutants of inactive QAE2 and SP isoforms, QAE2ACT and SPACT, displayed the full TH and IRI activities with resepect to QAE1 isoform. Cryopreservation studies using mouse ovarian tissue revealed that the QAE1 isoform and the active mutants, QAE2ACT and SPACT, more effectively preserved intact follicle morphology and prevented DNA double-strand break damage more efficiently than the inactive isoforms. It was also found that all active AFPs, QAE1, QAE2ACT, and SPACT, formed unique H-bonds with the first 310 helix, an interaction that plays an important role in the formation of anchored clathrate water networks for efficient binding to the primary prism and pyramidal planes of ice crystals, which was disrupted in the inactive isoforms. Our studies provide valuable insights into the molecular mechanism of the TH and IRI activity, as well as the cryopreservation efficiency, of type III AFPs.
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Key Words
- AFP, Antifreeze protein
- Antifreeze protein
- CPA, cryoprotective agent
- Cryopreservation
- D-PBS, Dulbecco’s phosphate-buffered saline
- DMSO, dimethyl sulfoxide
- DSB, double-strand break
- EG, ethylene glycol
- H-bond, hydrogen bond
- IBP, ice-binding protein
- IBS, ice-binding surface
- IRI, ice recrystallization inhibition
- Ice crystallization inhibition
- NMR
- OT, ovarian tissue
- QAE, quaternary-amino-ethyl
- RT, room temperature
- SP, sulfopropyl
- TH, thermal hysteresis
- TUNEL, terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labelling
- Thermal hysteresis
- nfeAFP, notched-fin eelpout AFP
- wt, wild-type
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Affiliation(s)
- Seo-Ree Choi
- Department of Chemistry and Research Institute of Natural Science, Gyeongsang National University, Gyeongnam 52828, Republic of Korea
| | - Jaewang Lee
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Gyeonggi 13620, Republic of Korea.,Department of Biomedical Laboratory Science, Eulji University, Gyeonggi 13135, Republic of Korea
| | - Yeo-Jin Seo
- Department of Chemistry and Research Institute of Natural Science, Gyeongsang National University, Gyeongnam 52828, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyun Sun Kong
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Gyeonggi 13620, Republic of Korea
| | - Minjae Kim
- Department of Life Science, Hanyang University, Seoul 04763, Republic of Korea
| | - EonSeon Jin
- Department of Life Science, Hanyang University, Seoul 04763, Republic of Korea
| | - Jung Ryeol Lee
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Gyeonggi 13620, Republic of Korea.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul 03080, Republic of Korea
| | - Joon-Hwa Lee
- Department of Chemistry and Research Institute of Natural Science, Gyeongsang National University, Gyeongnam 52828, Republic of Korea
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41
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Qu J, Li Y, Liao S, Yan J. The Effects of Negative Elements in Environment and Cancer on Female Reproductive System. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2021; 1300:283-313. [PMID: 33523439 DOI: 10.1007/978-981-33-4187-6_13] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
Abstract
With the development of human society, factors that contribute to the impairment of female fertility is accumulating. Lifestyle-related risk factors, occupational risk factors, and iatrogenic factors, including cancer and anti-cancer treatments, have been recognized with their negative effects on the function of female reproductive system. However, the exact influences and their possible mechanism have not been elucidated yet. It is impossible to accurately estimate the indexes of female fertility, but many researchers have put forward that the general fertility has inclined through the past decades. Thus the demand for fertility preservation has increased more and more dramatically. Here we described some of the factors which may influence female reproductive system and methods for fertility preservation in response to female infertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiangxue Qu
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Yuehan Li
- Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Cancer Biology Research Center, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Shujie Liao
- Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Cancer Biology Research Center, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China.
| | - Jie Yan
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China.
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42
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Zheng X, Liu J, Liu Z, Wang J. Bio-inspired Ice-controlling Materials for Cryopreservation of Cells and Tissues. ACTA CHIMICA SINICA 2021. [DOI: 10.6023/a21020043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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43
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Cho HW, Lee S, Min KJ, Hong JH, Song JY, Lee JK, Lee NW, Kim T. Advances in the Treatment and Prevention of Chemotherapy-Induced Ovarian Toxicity. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:E7792. [PMID: 33096794 PMCID: PMC7589665 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21207792] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2020] [Accepted: 10/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Due to improvements in chemotherapeutic agents, cancer treatment efficacy and cancer patient survival rates have greatly improved, but unfortunately gonadal damage remains a major complication. Gonadotoxic chemotherapy, including alkylating agents during reproductive age, can lead to iatrogenic premature ovarian insufficiency (POI), and loss of fertility. In recent years, the demand for fertility preservation has increased dramatically among female cancer patients. Currently, embryo and oocyte cryopreservation are the only established options for fertility preservation in women. However, there is growing evidence for other experimental techniques including ovarian tissue cryopreservation, oocyte in vitro maturation, artificial ovaries, stem cell technologies, and ovarian suppression. To prevent fertility loss in women with cancer, individualized fertility preservation options including established and experimental techniques that take into consideration the patient's age, marital status, chemotherapy regimen, and the possibility of treatment delay should be provided. In addition, effective multidisciplinary oncofertility strategies that involve a highly skilled and experienced oncofertility team consisting of medical oncologists, gynecologists, reproductive biologists, surgical oncologists, patient care coordinators, and research scientists are necessary to provide cancer patients with high-quality care.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Sanghoon Lee
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul 02841, Korea; (H.-W.C.); (K.-J.M.); (J.H.H.); (J.Y.S.); (J.K.L.); (N.W.L.); (T.K.)
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44
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Slow-Freezing Cryopreservation Ensures High Ovarian Tissue Quality Followed by In Vivo and In Vitro Methods and Is Safe for Fertility Preservation. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2020; 56:medicina56100547. [PMID: 33086522 PMCID: PMC7603126 DOI: 10.3390/medicina56100547] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2020] [Revised: 10/15/2020] [Accepted: 10/16/2020] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Background and objectives: Cancer incidence is growing with younger patients diagnosed with this disease every year. Improved cancer diagnostics and treatment lead to better survival of cancer patients. However, after aggressive chemo- or radiotherapy, cancer survivors suffer from various degrees of subfertility or infertility. Several fertility preservation technologies have been developed for young cancer patients: cryopreservation of germ cells, embryos, or reproductive tissues. The best results have been shown by cryopreservation of sperm and embryos. Yet the success of using cryopreserved oocytes or reproductive tissues (ovarian and testicular) is still insufficient. Therefore, this study was designed to assess the vitality, viability, general quality, and safety of frozen-thawed human ovarian tissue for retransplantation using modern molecular tests. Materials and Methods: The new miRNA array test was used to evaluate miRNA expression in thawed ovarian tissue in combination with standard xenotransplantation and pathological examination of microslides. Results: Our results demonstrated that slow freezing is an efficient way (80%) to cryopreserve ovarian tissue with no structural damage afterwards. We have shown that xenotransplantation into immunodeficient mice, histology, and immunohistochemistry could be potentially replaced by more recent molecular methods. Conclusions: The latter method has shown that altered expression of miRNAs might be used as identifiers of normal/damaged tissue after further analysis. Newer, safer, and more specific approaches need to be developed in order to eliminate the risk of disease reoccurrence.
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45
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Pietrowski D, Mladek R, Frank M, Erber J, Marschalek J, Schneeberger C. Analyses of human granulosa cell vitality by fluorescence activated cell sorting after rapid cooling. HUM FERTIL 2020; 25:478-486. [PMID: 32914641 DOI: 10.1080/14647273.2020.1817578] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
In reproductive medicine, the technique of rapid cooling becomes increasingly important for the preservation of tissue and cells. In order to protect the cells, incubation in different cryopreservation solutions is essential. The speed of the cooling process also makes a pivotal contribution to the success of this method. Using Flourescence Activated Cell Sorting (FACS), we investigated the impact of an open rapid and a closed rapid cooling technique on the vitality of human granulosa cells. Furthermore, we examined effects of the different solutions used for rapid cooling and warming before and after rapid cooling. We found a significant lower proportion of vital cells after rapid cooling compared to untreated controls independently of the technique and the tube size. However, we did not find any significant differences between open and closed rapid cooling. In both, a lower proportion of vital granulosa cells were found after incubation in rapid cooling solution only compared to warming solution only. Our results lend support to the conclusion that the difference of cooling-speed between open and closed rapid cooling is, in our settings, not crucial for the success of the procedure and that cryoprotective agents in the rapid cooling solutions have a higher potential to cause severe cell damage than agents used for warming.
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Affiliation(s)
- Detlef Pietrowski
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical University Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Raphaela Mladek
- FH Campus Wien, University of Applied Science, Vienna, Austria
| | - Maria Frank
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical University Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Julia Erber
- Faculty of Life Science, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Julian Marschalek
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical University Vienna, Vienna, Austria
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46
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Yong KW, Laouar L, Elliott JAW, Jomha NM. Review of non-permeating cryoprotectants as supplements for vitrification of mammalian tissues. Cryobiology 2020; 96:1-11. [PMID: 32910946 DOI: 10.1016/j.cryobiol.2020.08.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2020] [Revised: 08/28/2020] [Accepted: 08/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Vitrification of mammalian tissues is important in the areas of human assisted reproduction, animal reproduction, and regenerative medicine. Non-permeating cryoprotectants (CPAs), particularly sucrose, are increasingly used in conjunction with permeating CPAs for vitrification of mammalian tissues. Combining non-permeating and permeating CPAs was found to further improve post-thaw viability and functionalities of vitrified mammalian tissues, showing the potential applications of such tissues in various clinical and veterinary settings. With the rising demand for the use of non-permeating CPAs in vitrification of mammalian tissues, there is a strong need for a timely and comprehensive review on the supplemental effects of non-permeating CPAs toward vitrification outcomes of mammalian tissues. In this review, we first discuss the roles of non-permeating CPAs including sugars and high molecular weight polymers in vitrification. We then summarize the supplemental effects of non-permeating CPAs on viability and functionalities of mammalian embryos, and ovarian, testicular, articular cartilage, tracheal, and kidney tissues following vitrification. Lastly, challenges associated with the use of non-permeating CPAs in vitrification of mammalian tissues are briefly discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kar Wey Yong
- Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, T6G 2B7, Canada
| | - Leila Laouar
- Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, T6G 2B7, Canada
| | - Janet A W Elliott
- Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, T6G 1H9, Canada; Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, T6G 2R7, Canada
| | - Nadr M Jomha
- Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, T6G 2B7, Canada.
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47
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Grin L, Girsh E, Harlev A. Male fertility preservation-Methods, indications and challenges. Andrologia 2020; 53:e13635. [PMID: 32390180 DOI: 10.1111/and.13635] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2020] [Revised: 04/13/2020] [Accepted: 04/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Male fertility preservation has been steadily increasing over the past two decades. Significant improvements have been achieved in the treatment modalities of cancer and other severe chronic medical conditions, leading to an increase in patient survivorship and the resulting demand for future parenthood. Recognition and proper patient counselling before commencing therapies with a potential gonadotoxic effect are of paramount importance. Similarly, nonmedically indicated fertility preservation is on the rise. Social sperm banking, gender dysphoria prior to affirmation procedures and posthumous reproduction preservation are becoming more common. When timing and logistics are appropriate, sperm cryopreservation is considered the gold standard for fertility preservation. Testicular tissue and spermatogonial stem cell autotransplantation is considered experimental and represents a promising alternative for pre-pubertal patients. The current paper aims to review the recent trends in male fertility preservation, the common indications for sperm cryopreservation, techniques for sperm retrieval and experimental frontiers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leonti Grin
- Fertility and IVF Unit, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Barzilai University Medical Center, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beersheba, Israel
| | - Eliezer Girsh
- Fertility and IVF Unit, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Barzilai University Medical Center, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beersheba, Israel
| | - Avi Harlev
- Fertility and IVF Unit, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Barzilai University Medical Center, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beersheba, Israel
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48
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F. Sobrinho C, Knackfuss F, Souza P, Torres T, Ramos A, Dias L, Ferreira J, Pires I. Avaliação da técnica de vitrificação de ovários de camundongos da linhagem B6D2F1, pertencentes ao Instituto de Ciência e Tecnologia em Biomodelos - ICTB/Fiocruz-RJ. ARQ BRAS MED VET ZOO 2020. [DOI: 10.1590/1678-4162-10935] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
RESUMO Objetivou-se testar a vitrificação de ovários de camundongos do ICTB/Fiocruz. Inicialmente, fez-se coleta e maturação in vitro dos oócitos de ovários a fresco e vitrificados, bem como avaliação de estruturas no cultivo embrionário, pós-fertilização in vitro. Fêmeas B6D2F1 foram eutanasiadas para remoção dos ovários (n=60) e divididas em três grupos: grupo 1 (n=30 animais) - oócito de ovários vitrificados, maturados e fertilizados in vitro (120 fragmentos); grupo 2 (n=15) (controle 1) - oócitos coletados a fresco, maturados e fertilizados in vitro; e grupo 3 (n=15) (controle 2) - oócitos maturados in vivo e fertilizados in vitro. A técnica foi verificada no desenvolvimento embrionário in vitro, que foi avaliado pelo teste de qui-quadrado (BioStat 5.0). Recuperaram-se 123, 224 e 328 oócitos nos G1, G2 e G3, respectivamente. Observaram-se diferenças significativas nas taxas de clivagem às 24 horas (embriões ≥ 2 células) entre G1 (8%) e G2 (32%) (P<0,1) e G1 e G3 (49%) (P<0,05), mas não entre G2 e G3 (P>0,05). Para blastocistos, às 96 horas, os grupos G1, G2 e G3 apresentaram, respectivamente, 6%, 11% e 46%, diferindo significativamente entre eles (P<0,05). A vitrificação de ovários, a maturação oocitária e a fertilização in vitro são alternativas para a produção de embriões de camundongos in vitro.
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49
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Shahsavari MH, Alves KA, Alves BG, de Lima LF, Vizcarra DAM, Berrocal DJD, Silva LM, da Silva YP, Zelinski MB, de Figueiredo JR, Moghaddam G, Rodrigues APR. Impacts of different synthetic polymers on vitrification of ovarian tissue. Cryobiology 2020; 94:66-72. [PMID: 32339491 DOI: 10.1016/j.cryobiol.2020.04.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2020] [Revised: 04/18/2020] [Accepted: 04/18/2020] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Type and concentration of cryoprotective agents (CPAs) are important factors which influence the likelihood of a successful ovarian tissue vitrification outcome. In an attempt to address this factor, the present study was conducted to evaluate the impacts of different synthetic polymers (Supercool X-1000, Supercool Z-1000 and PVP K-12) on vitrification of bovine ovarian tissue. From each ovarian pair, fragments were recovered and immediately fixed for analysis (fresh control) or submitted to vitrification, either or not followed by in vitro culture for one or five days. Vitrification was performed using the ovarian tissue cryosystem (OTC) system. The ovarian tissues were intended for histological and viability analysis [Reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and degenerate cells assay (Ethidium homodimer-1)], as well as immunolocalization of AQP3 and AQP9 were measured. The results showed that during almost all the periods after warming, in treatment groups which contain polymer (X-1000, Z-1000 and PVP), the percentage of morphologically normal follicles was the highest in the X-1000 samples. Furthermore, post-thawed X-1000 group revealed stronger labeling for AQP9 in primordial and transitional follicles, when compared with others. However, morphology after cryopreservation did not correlate with follicle viability and function where the levels of degeneration and tissue damage of PVP K-12 group were lower in comparison with X-1000 group and only in PVP K-12 group, ROS level was similar to that of the fresh control group. We believe that in addition to permeating CPAs, the addition of one (Supercool X-1000) or maybe a combination (Supercool X-1000 and PVP K-12) of non-permeating polymers could be useful to improve the outcome for vitrified bovine ovarian tissue.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Kele Amaral Alves
- Postgraduate Program, Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Medicine College, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - Benner Geraldo Alves
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Laboratory of Manipulation of Oocytes and Preantral Follicles (LAMOFOPA), State University of Ceara, Fortaleza, CE, Brazil
| | - Laritza Ferreira de Lima
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Laboratory of Manipulation of Oocytes and Preantral Follicles (LAMOFOPA), State University of Ceara, Fortaleza, CE, Brazil
| | - Diego Alberto Montano Vizcarra
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Laboratory of Manipulation of Oocytes and Preantral Follicles (LAMOFOPA), State University of Ceara, Fortaleza, CE, Brazil
| | - Deysi Juana Dipaz Berrocal
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Laboratory of Manipulation of Oocytes and Preantral Follicles (LAMOFOPA), State University of Ceara, Fortaleza, CE, Brazil
| | - Luciana Mascena Silva
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Laboratory of Manipulation of Oocytes and Preantral Follicles (LAMOFOPA), State University of Ceara, Fortaleza, CE, Brazil
| | - Yago Pinto da Silva
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Laboratory of Manipulation of Oocytes and Preantral Follicles (LAMOFOPA), State University of Ceara, Fortaleza, CE, Brazil
| | - Mary B Zelinski
- Division of Reproductive & Developmental Sciences, Oregon National Primate Research Center, Oregon Health & Science University, Beaverton, OR, USA
| | - José Ricardo de Figueiredo
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Laboratory of Manipulation of Oocytes and Preantral Follicles (LAMOFOPA), State University of Ceara, Fortaleza, CE, Brazil
| | - Gholamali Moghaddam
- Department of Animal Sciences, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Tabriz, Tabriz, Iran.
| | - Ana Paula Ribeiro Rodrigues
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Laboratory of Manipulation of Oocytes and Preantral Follicles (LAMOFOPA), State University of Ceara, Fortaleza, CE, Brazil
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50
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Hussein RS, Khan Z, Zhao Y. Fertility Preservation in Women: Indications and Options for Therapy. Mayo Clin Proc 2020; 95:770-783. [PMID: 32247351 DOI: 10.1016/j.mayocp.2019.10.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2019] [Revised: 09/25/2019] [Accepted: 10/14/2019] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
Fertility preservation (FP) is a vital issue for individuals in either reproductive or prepubescent stage of life when future fertility may be compromised. The objective of any FP intervention is to minimize or eliminate primary disease burden and to ensure maintaining or preserving reproductive health. Fertility potential can be affected by cancer therapy and numerous other factors, including advancing age, metabolic conditions, autoimmune diseases, specific surgical interventions, and sex affirmation procedures. A paradigm shift focusing on quality-of-life issues and long-term survivorship has emerged, especially because of advances in cancer diagnostics and treatment. Several FP techniques have been widely distributed, while others are still in the research stage. In addition, specific procedures and some potentially fertoprotective agents are being developed, aiming to minimize the hazards of gonadal damage caused by cancer therapy and decrease the need for more costly, invasive, and time-consuming FP methods. This review highlights the advances, indications, and options for FP, both experimental and well-established, in females of various age groups. An electronic search in PubMed, Embase, and Google Scholar databases was conducted, including retrospective studies, prospective clinical trials, meta-analyses, original reviews, and online abstracts published up to June 30, 2019. The search terms used included fertility preservation, oncofertility, embryo cryopreservation, oocyte cryopreservation, and ovarian tissue cryopreservation. The meeting proceedings of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine and the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology were also hand searched.
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Affiliation(s)
- Reda S Hussein
- Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, Assiut University, Assiut, Egypt
| | - Zaraq Khan
- Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN; Division of Minimally Invasive Gynecologic Surgery, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN
| | - Yulian Zhao
- Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN; Division of Laboratory Genetics and Genomics, Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN.
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