Improvement of Mouse Preantral Follicle Survival and Development following Co-Culture with Ovarian Parenchyma Cell Suspension

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Department of Basic Sciences and New Biological Technologies, Science and Culture University, Tehran, Iran

2 Department of Embryology, Reproductive Biomedicine Research Center, Royan Institute for Reproductive Biomedicine, ACECR, Tehran, Iran

3 Reproductive Epidemiology Research Center, Royan Institute for Reproductive Biomedicine, ACECR, Tehran, Iran

4 Department of Genetics, Reproductive Biomedicine Research Center, Royan Institute for Reproductive Biomedicine, ACECR, Tehran, Iran

5 Department of Lab Sciences, School of Allied Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

Abstract

Background: The parallel and continued improvements in both infertility treatment and the management of malignancy
cases have brought to the forefront the potential for fertility preservation. Using ovarian follicular resources
can effectively improve reproductive capacity and prevent infertility. The primary aim of this research was to try to
generate an appropriate in vivo environment for the growth of the mouse follicles. Hence, the possible effects of the
ovarian parenchyma cell suspension were explored on the growth and maturation of preantral follicles in vitro.
Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, ovarian parenchymal cells were mechanically dissociated from
preantral follicles of 12-14 days-old NMRI mice and then divided into 5 experimental groups (G1: Control, G2: Fresh
follicle with fresh parenchyma cell suspension, G3: Vitrified-warmed follicle with fresh parenchyma cell suspension,
G4: Fresh follicle with frozen-thawed parenchyma cell suspension, and G5: Vitrified-warmed follicle with frozen-thawed
parenchyma cell suspension). The diameter of the follicles and immature oocytes, viability, antrum formation,
resumption of meiosis, in vitro fertilization (IVF), and Gdf9, Bmp6, and Bmp15 gene expression were examined on
different periods.
Results: The diameter of the follicles and the oocytes on days 4 and 8, as well as the survival rate of the follicles up
to day 12, were significantly higher in G2 and G4 compared to the Ctrl group (G1: 73.66%, G2:87.99%, G3: 82.70%,
G4: 94.37%, and G5: 78.59%). Expression of growth marker genes for G3, and G5 groups was significantly higher
than other groups, which indicated the protective effects of parenchyma cell suspension on follicles damaged by vitrification
solutions.
Conclusion: The growth, survival, and maturation of preantral follicles could be enhanced by co-culturing them with
ovarian parenchyma cells. Further studies are needed to optimize the conditions for a successful parenchyma cell
suspension-induced in vitro maturation (IVM) to occur in infertility clinics.

Keywords

Main Subjects

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International Journal of Fertility and Sterility
Volume 18, Issue 2
April 2024
Pages 153-161

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