PURPOSE: Cryopreservation of a complete ovary may be a future method for fertility preservation in cancer patients. Difficulties exist in cryopreservation of the relatively large ovarian tissue mass. This study evaluates whether a human postmenopausal ovary can be used, as a complement to animal models, in studies of this research field. METHODS: Postmenopausal human ovaries (n = 10) were isolated and flushed through ovarian arteries with either the cryoprotectant dimethylsulphoxide or Ringer-Acetate, followed by slow freezing. After thawing, production of androgens during in vitro perfusion and morphology (light/electron microscopy) were assessed. RESULTS: The dimethylsulphoxide-cryopreserved ovaries showed larger secretion of androgens during perfusion than Ringer Acetate-cryopreserved ovaries. Light microscopy showed well preserved morphology in both groups. Electron microscopy revealed normal appearance of stroma and vessels in the dimethylsulphoxide group. CONCLUSIONS: The study demonstrates the potential to use the postmenopausal human ovary for further studies aiming at optimizing cryopreservation protocols, with special reference to ovarian vascularity and stroma.
PURPOSE: Cryopreservation of a complete ovary may be a future method for fertility preservation in cancerpatients. Difficulties exist in cryopreservation of the relatively large ovarian tissue mass. This study evaluates whether a human postmenopausal ovary can be used, as a complement to animal models, in studies of this research field. METHODS: Postmenopausal humanovaries (n = 10) were isolated and flushed through ovarian arteries with either the cryoprotectant dimethylsulphoxide or Ringer-Acetate, followed by slow freezing. After thawing, production of androgens during in vitro perfusion and morphology (light/electron microscopy) were assessed. RESULTS: The dimethylsulphoxide-cryopreserved ovaries showed larger secretion of androgens during perfusion than Ringer Acetate-cryopreserved ovaries. Light microscopy showed well preserved morphology in both groups. Electron microscopy revealed normal appearance of stroma and vessels in the dimethylsulphoxide group. CONCLUSIONS: The study demonstrates the potential to use the postmenopausal human ovary for further studies aiming at optimizing cryopreservation protocols, with special reference to ovarian vascularity and stroma.
Authors: J Donnez; M M Dolmans; D Demylle; P Jadoul; C Pirard; J Squifflet; B Martinez-Madrid; A van Langendonckt Journal: Lancet Date: 2004 Oct 16-22 Impact factor: 79.321
Authors: P O Janson; W J LeMaire; B Källfelt; P V Holmes; S Cajander; L Bjersing; N Wiqvist; K Ahrén Journal: Biol Reprod Date: 1982-04 Impact factor: 4.285