BACKGROUND: Successful cryopreservation of a whole ovary may provide a solution for women with premature ovarian failure. The aim of this study was to evaluate the function of cryopreserved whole sheep ovaries both in vitro and in vivo. METHODS: Transplantation of frozen-thawed intact ovaries was performed on eight sheep by artery and vein anastomosis to the contralateral ovarian artery and vein. The remaining ovary was removed. Oocyte aspiration was performed 1 and 4 months post-transplantation. Serum progesterone levels were measured after 24 and 36 months. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was carried out 12 months after transplantation. RESULTS: Progesterone activity was detected in three sheep from 24 to 36 months post-transplantation. Oocyte retrieval was successful in two sheep and parthenogenic activation has resulted in embryonic development up to the 8-cell stage. MRI revealed an intact ovary with small follicles and intact blood vessels. CONCLUSIONS: Whole ovaries, and the follicles and blood vessels they contain, are able to survive cryopreservation. In addition, MRI has shown that blood vessels were intact and that normal blood flow had resumed to the transplant. We conclude that immediate and long-term hormonal restoration and normal ovulation is possible after cryopreservation and transplantation of whole ovaries in sheep.
BACKGROUND: Successful cryopreservation of a whole ovary may provide a solution for women with premature ovarian failure. The aim of this study was to evaluate the function of cryopreserved whole sheep ovaries both in vitro and in vivo. METHODS: Transplantation of frozen-thawed intact ovaries was performed on eight sheep by artery and vein anastomosis to the contralateral ovarian artery and vein. The remaining ovary was removed. Oocyte aspiration was performed 1 and 4 months post-transplantation. Serum progesterone levels were measured after 24 and 36 months. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was carried out 12 months after transplantation. RESULTS: Progesterone activity was detected in three sheep from 24 to 36 months post-transplantation. Oocyte retrieval was successful in two sheep and parthenogenic activation has resulted in embryonic development up to the 8-cell stage. MRI revealed an intact ovary with small follicles and intact blood vessels. CONCLUSIONS: Whole ovaries, and the follicles and blood vessels they contain, are able to survive cryopreservation. In addition, MRI has shown that blood vessels were intact and that normal blood flow had resumed to the transplant. We conclude that immediate and long-term hormonal restoration and normal ovulation is possible after cryopreservation and transplantation of whole ovaries in sheep.
Authors: Gregory M Fahy; Brian Wowk; Roberto Pagotan; Alice Chang; John Phan; Bruce Thomson; Laura Phan Journal: Organogenesis Date: 2009-07 Impact factor: 2.500
Authors: Sebastian Giwa; Jedediah K Lewis; Luis Alvarez; Robert Langer; Alvin E Roth; George M Church; James F Markmann; David H Sachs; Anil Chandraker; Jason A Wertheim; Martine Rothblatt; Edward S Boyden; Elling Eidbo; W P Andrew Lee; Bohdan Pomahac; Gerald Brandacher; David M Weinstock; Gloria Elliott; David Nelson; Jason P Acker; Korkut Uygun; Boris Schmalz; Brad P Weegman; Alessandro Tocchio; Greg M Fahy; Kenneth B Storey; Boris Rubinsky; John Bischof; Janet A W Elliott; Teresa K Woodruff; G John Morris; Utkan Demirci; Kelvin G M Brockbank; Erik J Woods; Robert N Ben; John G Baust; Dayong Gao; Barry Fuller; Yoed Rabin; David C Kravitz; Michael J Taylor; Mehmet Toner Journal: Nat Biotechnol Date: 2017-06-07 Impact factor: 54.908
Authors: J Smitz; M M Dolmans; J Donnez; J E Fortune; O Hovatta; K Jewgenow; H M Picton; C Plancha; L D Shea; R L Stouffer; E E Telfer; T K Woodruff; M B Zelinski Journal: Hum Reprod Update Date: 2010-02-01 Impact factor: 15.610