Live Offspring from Cryopreserved Embryos Following In Vitro Growth, Maturation and Fertilization of Oocytes Derived from Preantral Follicles in Mice

Abstract

Abstract. This study was undertaken to examine pre-and postimplantation developmental potency of cryopreserved embryos that had undergone in vitro growth (IVG), maturation (IVM) and fertilization (IVF) of oocytes from the preantral follicle stage. An oocyte culture system for IVG and IVM was used in oocyte-granulosa cell complexes (OGCs) derived from preantral follicles in 12-day-old mice. The rate of oocyte maturation was improved by the addition of gonadotropins (FSH / LH) and cytokines (IGF-I / SCF) to culture medium for IVG. During culture for IVG, estradiol-17β and progesterone concentrations increased progressively to the latter period of culture. This culture system enabled IVG, IVM, IVF and pre-and postimplantation development. From 90 cryopreserved 2-cell stage embryos transferred into recipients after warming, 10 live pups were produced. Cryopreservation of embryos by vitrification at the 2-cell stage showed no harmful effect on development to the blastocyst stage or on the cell numbers of the inner cell mass (ICM) and trophectoderm (TE). This study demonstrated that embryos derived from oocytes grown in vitro have tolerance for vitrification and competence to develop to term after warming. This IVG-IVM-IVF technology combined with embryo cryopreservation might be useful for assisted reproduction in mice.

Preserving fertility in female patients with hematological malignancies: a multidisciplinary oncofertility approach

“…Artificial ovary: Artificial ovary is a novel experimental technology that aims to produce mature oocytes ready for IVF through an ex-vivo multistep strategy including sequential in vitro cultures of ovarian tissue, follicles, and oocytes (Figure 1) [196][197][198][199]. Although successful only in mice [200,201], further advances in research will improve artificial ovary results and help to establish it for transposition to human models [202,203]. Recently, our coauthors Salama and Woodruff have published a new article that discusses in detail the concept of artificial human ovary and its clinical applications from bench to bedside [204].…”

The Role of Androgen Hormones in Early Follicular Development

“…Various in vitro systems have been employed for the culture of preantral follicles in various mammalian species, such as cattle [85], goats [86], non-human primates [66], and humans [87]. However, the production of healthy offspring from oocytes of preantral follicles matured in vitro has been reported only in mice thus far [88]. The main results obtained in studies aiming to evaluate the in vitro effects of androgens on early follicular development in different species are listed in Table 4 and described below.…”

From bench to bedside: Current developments and future possibilities of artificial human ovary to restore fertility

“…The ex vivo concept of an artificial ovary has been successful only in mice, which resulted in healthy offspring. It is still challenging, however, in larger animals and humans . Future research advances will improve this technology and eventually translate it into a potential option for patients …”

“…It is still challenging, however, in larger animals and humans. 4,5 Future research advances will improve this technology and eventually translate it into a potential option for patients. 6,7 In humans, after surgical extraction of ovarian tissue, part of the fresh or frozen-thawed ovarian tissue may be processed in vitro through three sequential culture steps with the hope of producing mature oocytes ready for fertilization ( Figure 1).…”