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Markers of growth and development in primate primordial follicles are preserved after slow cryopreservation.
Fertil Steril. 2010 May 15;93(8):2627-32
Authors: Jin S, Lei L, Shea LD, Zelinski MB, Stouffer RL, Woodruff TK
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of slow cryopreservation on the morphology and function of primate primordial follicles within ovarian tissue slices.
DESIGN: Fresh monkey ovarian tissue was frozen by slow cryopreservation and thawed for analysis of morphologic and functional parameters.
SETTING: University-affiliated laboratory.
ANIMALS: Rhesus monkey ovarian tissue.
INTERVENTION(S): None.
MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Histologic analysis, follicle counting, assessment of protein abundance and localization.
RESULT(S): After freezing and thawing, 89% of the primordial follicles maintained their laminar-based architecture, with sizes close to those of fresh fixed follicles. Molecular markers of early follicle health (activin subunits and the phosphorylated form of the signaling protein Smad2 [pSmad2]) were present in fresh and frozen-thawed primordial follicles. Stroma cells, but not follicles, had a higher level of TUNEL staining. Granulosa cells within the follicles of frozen-thawed ovarian tissue cultured for 48 hours had the capacity to proliferate and sustained expression of the activin subunits and nuclear pSmad2.
CONCLUSION(S): This study provides evidence that markers of early follicle growth and development are preserved after slow cryopreservation and thaw, with little effect on follicle morphology and function.
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PMID: 20074723 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]