Dela Cruz C, Wandoff A, Brunette M, Padmanabhan V, Shikanov A, Moravek MB. In vitro fertilization outcomes in a mouse model of gender-affirming hormone therapy in transmasculine youth.
F&S SCIENCE 2023;
4:302-310. [PMID:
37579932 PMCID:
PMC10841328 DOI:
10.1016/j.xfss.2023.08.001]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2023] [Revised: 08/08/2023] [Accepted: 08/08/2023] [Indexed: 08/16/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE
To investigate in vitro fertilization (IVF) outcomes in an adolescent transmasculine mouse model mimicking gender-affirming hormone therapy in prepubertal youth, both on testosterone (T) and after T washout.
DESIGN
Experimental laboratory study using a validated mouse model.
SETTING
University-based basic science research laboratory.
ANIMAL(S)
A total of 80 prepubertal 26-day-old C57BL/6N female mice were used in this study.
INTERVENTION(S)
Animals (n = 10/group) were implanted subcutaneously with gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist at 3.6 mg or received sham surgery. After 21 days, they were implanted with silastic tubing containing either T 10 mg or placebo for 6 weeks. After 6 weeks, a group of animals were superovulated for immediate IVF, and another group had the implant removed and went through superovulation for IVF after 2 weeks (washout IVF). The total number of oocytes yielded, oocyte maturity rate, fertilization rate, and numbers of 2-cell embryos, 4-8-cell embryos, morula, blastocysts, and hatching blastocysts were recorded.
RESULT(S)
Testosterone treatment negatively impacted IVF outcomes in animals stimulated when receiving T, but not after T washout. Pretreatment with gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist did not affect IVF outcomes.
CONCLUSION(S)
Although current T had a negative impact on IVF outcomes compared with controls, animals were still able to produce viable oocytes for fertilization and develop into blastocysts. Future efforts to study the impact of long-term T exposure on oocyte quality, especially aneuploidy rates, pregnancy outcomes, and live birth rates, are necessary.
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