Evaluation of a rigid fibrin matrix for the survival or isolated human preantral follicles and short-term xenografting

Abstract

Event Abstract Back to Event Evaluation of a rigid fibrin matrix for the survival or isolated human preantral follicles and short-term xenografting Michelle Soares1, Maria C. Chiti1, Jacques Donnez2, Marie-Madeleine Dolmans1, 3 and Christiani Andrade Amorim1 1 Université Catholique de Louvain, Gynecology, Belgium 2 Society for Research into Infertility, Belgium 3 Cliniques Universitaires Saint-Luc, Gynecology, Belgium Introduction: Fibrin is a promising scaffold for the artificial ovary. Recently, a matrix with low fibrinogen and thrombin concentrations (12.5mg/ml and 1UI/ml respectively) tested for encapsulation of murine follicles showed around 30% follicle recovery rate 1 week after autotransplantation[1]. However, when it was tested for human follicles, the results were significantly inferior. Since human ovarian cortex is more rigid than the mouse ovary, human follicles may require a stiffer matrix for their survival. This study was designed to test this hypothesis. Materials and Methods: Fresh human ovarian tissue was enzymatically digested and follicles isolated under stereomicroscope. Around 50 follicles were encapsulated in a more rigid fibrin matrix (50mg/ml fibrinogen and 50UI/ml thrombin) and grafted to ovarian bursa of 9 nude mice. Mice were euthanized after 10 minutes (control), 2 days and 7 days, and recovered grafts analyzed at histology (every 10µm) for the presence of follicles. Only healthy looking follicles with an oocyte were counted. Results and Discussion: All grafts (3 for each grafting period) were recovered. Surprisingly, only 48% of the follicles initially embedded in the matrix were found in the control group (10min). At days 2 and 7, the follicle recovery rate was 28% and 23% respectively. Although this proportion appears to be low, it is similar to those reported by Nisolle et al[2]., where 27% of human preantral follicles were observed after one week of xenografting of ovarian tissue. Conclusion: Our results confirm that a more rigid fibrin matrix made of higher concentrations of fibrinogen and thrombin has a positive influence on the survival of isolated human follicles. These results are very encouraging for the construction of the artificial ovary. Fonds National de la Recherche Scientifique de Belgique; Fondation St Luc; Fonds Spéciaux de Recherche; Foundation Against Cancer