Rossella Masciangelo1, Camille Hossay2, Jacques Donnez2, Marie-Madeleine Dolmans3. 1. Pôle de Recherche en Gynécologie, Institut de Recherche Expérimentale et Clinique, Université Catholique de Louvain, Avenue Mounier 52, bte. B1.52.02, Brussels 1200, Belgium. 2. Société de Recherche pour l'Infertilité, Avenue Grandchamp 143, Brussels 1150, Belgium. 3. Pôle de Recherche en Gynécologie, Institut de Recherche Expérimentale et Clinique, Université Catholique de Louvain, Avenue Mounier 52, bte. B1.52.02, Brussels 1200, Belgium; Département de Gynécologie, Cliniques Universitaires St. Luc, Avenue Hippocrate 10, Brussels 1200, Belgium. Electronic address: marie-madeleine.dolmans@uclouvain.be.
Abstract
RESEARCH QUESTION: The aim was to elucidate the delay in and mechanisms of follicle activation after ovarian tissue transplantation, with particular emphasis on the role of the Akt signalling pathway. DESIGN: Ovarian tissue was collected from six patients and divided into four fragments in each case: one for control purposes and three for grafting to immunodeficient mice for 3, 7 and 21 days. Follicle density, classification, growth and atresia, and the Akt pathway were analysed. RESULTS: A significant decrease in primordial follicles and significant increase in growing follicles were detected 3 days after transplantation (both P = 0.01). More than 50% of follicles were atretic after 3 days, and a further 50% after 7 days of grafting. Akt phosphorylation was significantly elevated in primordial follicles after 3 days of grafting (P = 0.048). CONCLUSIONS: This study confirms that primordial follicle activation is an early event after transplantation, and significant follicle death also contributes to the burnout effect, eventually resulting in early depletion of the ovarian reserve. Increased Akt phosphorylation on day 3 post-grafting suggests it plays a role in follicle activation and subsequent burnout.
RESEARCH QUESTION: The aim was to elucidate the delay in and mechanisms of follicle activation after ovarian tissue transplantation, with particular emphasis on the role of the Akt signalling pathway. DESIGN: Ovarian tissue was collected from six patients and divided into four fragments in each case: one for control purposes and three for grafting to immunodeficientmice for 3, 7 and 21 days. Follicle density, classification, growth and atresia, and the Akt pathway were analysed. RESULTS: A significant decrease in primordial follicles and significant increase in growing follicles were detected 3 days after transplantation (both P = 0.01). More than 50% of follicles were atretic after 3 days, and a further 50% after 7 days of grafting. Akt phosphorylation was significantly elevated in primordial follicles after 3 days of grafting (P = 0.048). CONCLUSIONS: This study confirms that primordial follicle activation is an early event after transplantation, and significant follicle death also contributes to the burnout effect, eventually resulting in early depletion of the ovarian reserve. Increased Akt phosphorylation on day 3 post-grafting suggests it plays a role in follicle activation and subsequent burnout.
Authors: Luciana Cacciottola; Thu Y T Nguyen; Maria C Chiti; Alessandra Camboni; Christiani A Amorim; Jacques Donnez; Marie-Madeleine Dolmans Journal: J Clin Med Date: 2020-09-15 Impact factor: 4.241
Authors: Marie-Madeleine Dolmans; Isabelle Demeestere; Ellen Anckaert; Michel De Vos Journal: J Assist Reprod Genet Date: 2022-06-25 Impact factor: 3.357
Authors: Lorraine S Kasaven; Srdjan Saso; Natalie Getreu; Helen O'Neill; Timothy Bracewell-Milnes; Fevzi Shakir; Joseph Yazbek; Meen-Yau Thum; James Nicopoullos; Jara Ben Nagi; Paul Hardiman; Cesar Diaz-Garcia; Benjamin P Jones Journal: Hum Reprod Date: 2022-08-25 Impact factor: 6.353