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Appeltant R, Hermes R, Holtze S, Modina SC, Galli C, Bjarkadottir BD, Adeniran BV, Wei X, Swegen A, Hildebrandt TB, Williams SA. The neonatal southern white rhinoceros ovary contains oogonia in germ cell nests. Commun Biol 2023; 6:1049. [PMID: 37848538 PMCID: PMC10582104 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-023-05256-5] [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: 12/09/2022] [Accepted: 08/18/2023] [Indexed: 10/19/2023] Open
Abstract
The northern white rhinoceros is functionally extinct with only two females left. Establishing methods to culture ovarian tissues, follicles, and oocytes to generate eggs will support conservation efforts using in vitro embryo production. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first description of the structure and molecular signature of any rhinoceros, more specifically, we describe the neonatal and adult southern white rhinoceros (Ceratotherium simum simum) ovary; the closest relation of the northern white rhinoceros. Interestingly, all ovaries contain follicles despite advanced age. Analysis of the neonate reveals a population of cells molecularly characterised as mitotically active, pluripotent with germ cell properties. These results indicate that unusually, the neonatal ovary still contains oogonia in germ cell nests at birth, providing an opportunity for fertility preservation. Therefore, utilising ovaries from stillborn and adult rhinoceros can provide cells for advanced assisted reproductive technologies and investigating the neonatal ovaries of other endangered species is crucial for conservation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruth Appeltant
- Nuffield Department of Women's and Reproductive Health, University of Oxford, Women's Centre, Level 3, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, UK
- Gamete Research Centre, Veterinary Physiology and Biochemistry, Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Antwerp, Wilrijk, Belgium
| | - Robert Hermes
- Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research, Alfred-Kowalke-Str 17, D-10315, Berlin, Germany
| | - Susanne Holtze
- Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research, Alfred-Kowalke-Str 17, D-10315, Berlin, Germany
| | - Silvia Clotilde Modina
- Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via dell'Università 6, 26900, Lodi, Italy
| | - Cesare Galli
- Avantea srl, Laboratory of Reproductive Technologies, Via Porcellasco 7/F, 26100, Cremona, Italy
- Fondazione Avantea, 26100, Cremona, Italy
| | - Briet D Bjarkadottir
- Nuffield Department of Women's and Reproductive Health, University of Oxford, Women's Centre, Level 3, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, UK
| | - Babatomisin V Adeniran
- Nuffield Department of Women's and Reproductive Health, University of Oxford, Women's Centre, Level 3, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, UK
| | - Xi Wei
- Nuffield Department of Women's and Reproductive Health, University of Oxford, Women's Centre, Level 3, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, UK
| | - Aleona Swegen
- Nuffield Department of Women's and Reproductive Health, University of Oxford, Women's Centre, Level 3, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, UK
- Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Science, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, 2308, NSW, Australia
| | - Thomas Bernd Hildebrandt
- Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via dell'Università 6, 26900, Lodi, Italy
- Freie Universität Berlin, D-14195, Berlin, Germany
| | - Suzannah A Williams
- Nuffield Department of Women's and Reproductive Health, University of Oxford, Women's Centre, Level 3, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, UK.
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Bolton RL, Mooney A, Pettit MT, Bolton AE, Morgan L, Drake GJ, Appeltant R, Walker SL, Gillis JD, Hvilsom C. Resurrecting biodiversity: advanced assisted reproductive technologies and biobanking. REPRODUCTION AND FERTILITY 2022; 3:R121-R146. [PMID: 35928671 PMCID: PMC9346332 DOI: 10.1530/raf-22-0005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2022] [Accepted: 06/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Biodiversity is defined as the presence of a variety of living organisms on the Earth that is essential for human survival. However, anthropogenic activities are causing the sixth mass extinction, threatening even our own species. For many animals, dwindling numbers are becoming fragmented populations with low genetic diversity, threatening long-term species viability. With extinction rates 1000–10,000 times greater than natural, ex situ and in situ conservation programmes need additional support to save species. The indefinite storage of cryopreserved (−196°C) viable cells and tissues (cryobanking), followed by assisted or advanced assisted reproductive technology (ART: utilisation of oocytes and spermatozoa to generate offspring; aART: utilisation of somatic cell genetic material to generate offspring), may be the only hope for species’ long-term survival. As such, cryobanking should be considered a necessity for all future conservation strategies. Following cryopreservation, ART/aART can be used to reinstate lost genetics back into a population, resurrecting biodiversity. However, for this to be successful, species-specific protocol optimisation and increased knowledge of basic biology for many taxa are required. Current ART/aART is primarily focused on mammalian taxa; however, this needs to be extended to all, including to some of the most endangered species: amphibians. Gamete, reproductive tissue and somatic cell cryobanking can fill the gap between losing genetic diversity today and future technological developments. This review explores species prioritisation for cryobanking and the successes and challenges of cryopreservation and multiple ARTs/aARTs. We here discuss the value of cryobanking before more species are lost and the potential of advanced reproductive technologies not only to halt but also to reverse biodiversity loss.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rhiannon L Bolton
- Nature’s SAFE, Chapel Field Stud, Ash Lane, Whitchurch, Shropshire, UK
| | | | - Matt T Pettit
- Nature’s SAFE, Chapel Field Stud, Ash Lane, Whitchurch, Shropshire, UK
- IMT International Limited, Tattenhall, Chester, UK
| | - Anthony E Bolton
- Nature’s SAFE, Chapel Field Stud, Ash Lane, Whitchurch, Shropshire, UK
| | - Lucy Morgan
- Gemini Genetics, Chapel Field Stud, Ash Lane, Whitchurch, UK
| | | | - Ruth Appeltant
- Nuffield Department of Women’s and Reproductive Health, University of Oxford, Women’s Centre, Level 3, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, UK
| | - Susan L Walker
- Nature’s SAFE, Chapel Field Stud, Ash Lane, Whitchurch, Shropshire, UK
- Chester Zoo, Upton-by-Chester, UK
| | - James D Gillis
- South-East Zoo Alliance for Reproduction & Conservation, Yulee, Florida, USA
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Bjarkadottir BD, Walker CA, Fatum M, Lane S, Williams SA. Analysing culture methods of frozen human ovarian tissue to improve follicle survival. REPRODUCTION AND FERTILITY 2022; 2:59-68. [PMID: 35128433 PMCID: PMC8812444 DOI: 10.1530/raf-20-0058] [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: 02/08/2021] [Accepted: 02/25/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
In vitro follicle growth is a potential fertility preservation method for patients for whom current methods are contraindicated. Currently, this method has only been successful using fresh ovarian tissue. Since many patients who may benefit from this treatment currently have cryopreserved ovarian tissue in storage, optimising in vitro follicle growth (IVG) for cryopreserved-thawed tissue is critical. This study sought to improve the first step of IVG by comparing different short-term culture systems for cryopreserved-thawed human ovarian tissue, in order to yield a higher number of healthy multilayer follicles. We compared two commonly used culture media (αMEM and McCoy’s 5A), and three plate conditions (300 µL, 1 mL on a polycarbonate membrane and 1 mL in a gas-permeable plate) on the health and development of follicles after 6 days of culture. A total of 5797 follicles from three post-pubertal patients (aged 21.3 ± 2.3 years) were analysed across six different culture conditions and non-cultured control. All culture systems supported follicle development and there was no difference in developmental progression between the different conditions tested. Differences in follicle morphology were evident with follicles cultured in low volume conditions having significantly greater odds of being graded as morphologically normal compared to other conditions. Furthermore, culture in a low volume of αMEM resulted in the highest proportion of morphologically normal primary and multilayer follicles (23.8% compared to 6.3-19.9% depending on condition). We, therefore, recommend culturing cryopreserved human ovarian tissue in a low volume of αMEM to support follicle health and development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Briet D Bjarkadottir
- Nuffield Department of Women's and Reproductive Health, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Charlotte A Walker
- Nuffield Department of Women's and Reproductive Health, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Muhammad Fatum
- Nuffield Department of Women's and Reproductive Health, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.,Department of Paediatric Oncology and Haematology, Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford, UK
| | - Sheila Lane
- Oxford Fertility, Institute of Reproductive Sciences, Oxford, UK
| | - Suzannah A Williams
- Nuffield Department of Women's and Reproductive Health, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
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Diaz AA, Kubo H, Handa N, Hanna M, Laronda MM. A Systematic Review of Ovarian Tissue Transplantation Outcomes by Ovarian Tissue Processing Size for Cryopreservation. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2022; 13:918899. [PMID: 35774145 PMCID: PMC9239173 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2022.918899] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2022] [Accepted: 05/10/2022] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
UNLABELLED Ovarian tissue cryopreservation (OTC) is the only pre-treatment option currently available to preserve fertility for prepubescent girls and patients who cannot undergo ovarian stimulation. Currently, there is no standardized method of processing ovarian tissue for cryopreservation, despite evidence that fragmentation of ovaries may trigger primordial follicle activation. Because fragmentation may influence ovarian transplant function, the purpose of this systematic review was (1) to identify the processing sizes and dimensions of ovarian tissue within sites around the world, and (2) to examine the reported outcomes of ovarian tissue transplantation including, reported duration of hormone restoration, pregnancy, and live birth. A total of 2,252 abstracts were screened against the inclusion criteria. In this systematic review, 103 studies were included for analysis of tissue processing size and 21 studies were included for analysis of ovarian transplantation outcomes. Only studies where ovarian tissue was cryopreserved (via slow freezing or vitrification) and transplanted orthotopically were included in the review. The size of cryopreserved ovarian tissue was categorized based on dimensions into strips, squares, and fragments. Of the 103 studies, 58 fertility preservation sites were identified that processed ovarian tissue into strips (62%), squares (25.8%), or fragments (31%). Ovarian tissue transplantation was performed in 92 participants that had ovarian tissue cryopreserved into strips (n = 51), squares (n = 37), and fragments (n = 4). All participants had ovarian tissue cryopreserved by slow freezing. The pregnancy rate was 81.3%, 45.5%, 66.7% in the strips, squares, fragment groups, respectively. The live birth rate was 56.3%, 18.2%, 66.7% in the strips, squares, fragment groups, respectively. The mean time from ovarian tissue transplantation to ovarian hormone restoration was 3.88 months, 3.56 months, and 3 months in the strips, squares, and fragments groups, respectively. There was no significant difference between the time of ovarian function' restoration and the size of ovarian tissue. Transplantation of ovarian tissue, regardless of its processing dimensions, restores ovarian hormone activity in the participants that were reported in the literature. More detailed information about the tissue processing size and outcomes post-transplant are required to identify a preferred or more successful processing method. SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION [https://www.crd.york.ac.uk], identifier [CRD42020189120].
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashley A. Diaz
- Stanley Manne Children’s Research Institute, Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago, Chicago, IL, United States
- Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, United States
| | - Hana Kubo
- Stanley Manne Children’s Research Institute, Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago, Chicago, IL, United States
- Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, United States
| | - Nicole Handa
- Stanley Manne Children’s Research Institute, Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago, Chicago, IL, United States
- Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, United States
| | - Maria Hanna
- Stanley Manne Children’s Research Institute, Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago, Chicago, IL, United States
- Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, United States
| | - Monica M. Laronda
- Stanley Manne Children’s Research Institute, Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago, Chicago, IL, United States
- Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, United States
- *Correspondence: Monica M. Laronda,
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Adeniran BV, Bjarkadottir BD, Appeltant R, Lane S, Williams SA. Improved preservation of ovarian tissue morphology that is compatible with antigen detection using a fixative mixture of formalin and acetic acid. Hum Reprod 2021; 36:1871-1890. [PMID: 33956944 PMCID: PMC8213453 DOI: 10.1093/humrep/deab075] [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: 12/13/2019] [Revised: 02/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
STUDY QUESTION Can ovarian tissue morphology be better preserved whilst enabling histological molecular analyses following fixation with a novel fixative, neutral buffered formalin (NBF) with 5% acetic acid (referred to hereafter as Form-Acetic)? SUMMARY ANSWER Fixation with Form-Acetic improved ovarian tissue histology compared to NBF in multiple species while still enabling histological molecular analyses. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY NBF fixation results in tissue shrinkage in various tissue types including the ovary. Components of ovarian tissue, notably follicles, are particularly susceptible to NBF-induced morphological alterations and can lead to data misrepresentation. Bouin’s solution (which contains 5% acetic acid) better preserves tissue architecture compared to NBF but is limited for immunohistochemical analyses. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION A comparison of routinely used fixatives, NBF and Bouin’s, and a new fixative, Form-Acetic was carried out. Ovarian tissue was used from three different species: human (n = 5 patients), sheep (n = 3; 6 ovaries; 3 animals per condition) and mouse (n = 14 mice; 3 ovaries from 3 different animals per condition). PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS Ovarian tissue from humans (aged 13 weeks to 32 years), sheep (reproductively young i.e. 3–6 months) and mice (10 weeks old) were obtained and fixed in 2 ml NBF, Bouin’s or Form-Acetic for 4, 8, and 24 h at room temperature. Tissues were embedded and sectioned. Five-micron sections were stained with haemotoxylin and eosin (H&E) and the percentage of artefact (clear space as a result of shrinkage) between ovarian structures was calculated. Additional histological staining using Periodic acid-Schiff and Masson’s trichrome were performed on 8 and 24 h NBF, Bouin’s and Form-Acetic fixed samples to assess the compatibility of the new fixative with stains. On ovarian tissue fixed for both 8 and 24 h in NBF and Form-Acetic, immunohistochemistry (IHC) studies to detect FOXO3a, FoxL2, collagen IV, laminin and anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) proteins were performed in addition to the terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase nick end labelling (TUNEL) assay to determine the compatibility of Form-Acetic fixation with types of histological molecular analyses. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE Fixation in Form-Acetic improved ovarian tissue morphology compared to NBF from all three species and either slightly improved or was comparable to Bouin’s for human, mouse and sheep tissues. Form-Acetic was compatible with H&E, Periodic acid-Schiff and Masson’s trichrome staining and all proteins (FOXO3a, FoxL2, collagen IV and laminin and AMH) could be detected via IHC. Furthermore, Form-Acetic, unlike NBF, enabled antigen recognition for most of the proteins tested without the need for antigen retrieval. Form-Acetic also enabled the detection of damaged DNA via the TUNEL assay using fluorescence. LARGE SCALE DATA N/A LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION In this study, IHC analysis was performed on a select number of protein types in ovarian tissue thus encouraging further studies to confirm the use of Form-Acetic in enabling the detection of a wider range of protein forms in addition to other tissue types. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS The simplicity in preparation of Form-Acetic and its superior preservative properties whilst enabling forms of histological molecular analyses make it a highly valuable tool for studying ovarian tissue. We, therefore, recommend that Form-Acetic replaces currently used fixatives and encourage others to introduce it into their research workflow. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S) This work was supported by the Oxford Medical Research Council Doctoral Training Programme (Oxford MRC-DTP) grant awarded to B.D.B. (Grant no. MR/N013468/1), the Fondation Hoffmann supporting R.A. and the Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF) awarded to B.V.A.
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Affiliation(s)
- B V Adeniran
- Nuffield Department of Women's and Reproductive Health, Women's Centre, John Radcliffe Hospital, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - B D Bjarkadottir
- Nuffield Department of Women's and Reproductive Health, Women's Centre, John Radcliffe Hospital, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - R Appeltant
- Nuffield Department of Women's and Reproductive Health, Women's Centre, John Radcliffe Hospital, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - S Lane
- Future Fertility Programme Oxford, Oxford, UK.,Department of Paediatric Oncology and Haematology, Children's Hospital Oxford, Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford, UK
| | - S A Williams
- Nuffield Department of Women's and Reproductive Health, Women's Centre, John Radcliffe Hospital, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.,Future Fertility Programme Oxford, Oxford, UK
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