vitrification-ovarian-cortex-tissue-to-achieve-glassy-state

Vitrification of Ovarian Cortex Tissue to Achieve a Glassy State of Aggregation

Ovarian tissue cryopreservation (OTC) is an important option for fertility preservation. For patients whose gonadotoxic treatments cannot be postponed or ...

University Hospital of Bonn

Recent studies revealed that maternal and embryonic contributions impact on HLA-G protein expression and might contribute to pregnancy success or failure. The main objective of this study was to examine the paternal levels of the immunoregulatory soluble human leukocyte antigen-G (sHLA-G) protein in seminal plasma and testicular biopsy samples during artificial reproductive technique (ART) treatment and to investigate possible correlations with other semen parameters, age, and pregnancy outcome of the female partner.

Quantitative analysis of the sHLA-G protein in seminal plasma.

Highly viscous semen reduces sperm motility significantly and can contribute to infertility. When processing semen samples, few techniques exist to induce liquefaction in case of seminal hyperviscosity such as different washing steps and mechanical treatment. The use of α-chymotrypsin seems controversial due to possible negative effects on fertilisation rates after in vitro fertilization (IVF). The main objective of this study was to examine the influence of mild α-chymotrypsin treatment of semen samples on the fertilisation rate after artificial reproductive treatment (ART).

Effect of mild α-chymotrypsin treatment of highly viscous semen samples on fertilization rates.

Despite its clinical success rates, transplantation after ovarian tissue cryopreservation (OTC) remains a matter of concern. Certain cancer subtypes may lead to the transfer of malignant cells when transplantation of affected ovarian tissue is conducted. IVG and subsequent isolation of vital follicles obtained from frozen thawed ovarian tissue for further in vitro maturation (IVM) would expand current fertility protection techniques while reducing the risk of retransplanting malignant cells.

In vitro growth (IVG) of human ovarian follicles in frozen thawed ovarian cortex tissue culture supplemented with follicular fluid under hypoxic conditions.

The standard procedure most frequently used for ovarian tissue cryopreservation (OTC) is slow freezing, while vitrification has been proposed as promising alternative and has built an impressive catalog of success in fertility laboratories regarding cryopreservation of oocytes and embryos.

The effect of high-throughput vitrification of human ovarian cortex tissue on follicular viability: a promising alternative to conventional slow freezing?

What are the parameters of age, indications for ovarian tissue cryopreservation, storage characteristics and reasons for tissue disposal in a large cohort of individuals undertaking cryopreservation?

Cryostorage of human ovarian tissue: evaluating the storage and disposal pattern over a 22-year period in 2475 patients.

Vitrification of ovarian tissue is a promising alternative approach to the traditional slow freezing method. Few empirical investigations have been conducted to determine the angiogenic profiles of these two freezing methods. In this study we aimed to answer the question whether one of the cryopreservation methods should be preferred based on the secretion of angiogenic factors. Tissue culture with reduced oxygen (5%) was conducted for 48 h with samples of fresh, slow frozen/thawed and vitrified/rapid warmed ovarian cortex tissue from 20 patients. From each patient, tissue was used in all three treatment groups. Tissue culture supernatants were determined regarding cytokine expression profiles of angiogenin, angiopoietin-2, epidermal growth factor, basic fibroblast growth factor, heparin binding epidermal growth factor, hepatocyte growth factor, Leptin, Platelet-derived growth factor B, placental growth factor and vascular endothelial growth factor A via fluoroimmunoassay. Apoptotic changes were assessed by TUNEL staining of cryosections and supplemented by hematoxylin and eosin and proliferating cell nuclear antigen staining. Comparing the angiogenic expression profiles of vitrified/rapid warmed tissue with slow frozen/thawed tissue samples, no significant differences were observed. Detection of apoptotic DNA fragmentation via TUNEL indicated minor apoptotic profiles that were not significantly different comparing both cryopreservation methods. Vitrification of ovarian cortical tissue does not appear to impact negatively on the expression profile of angiogenic factors and may be regarded as an effective alternative approach to the traditional slow freezing method.

Comparison of angiogenic potential in vitrified vs. slow frozen human ovarian tissue.

Cryopreservation of ovarian tissue is one feasible option to preserve female fertility prior to cancer treatment. The slow freezing protocol represents the current standard approach, while vitrification has been suggested as a promising alternative. This paper reports the follow-up and first successful delivery after retransplantation of vitrified, rapid warmed ovarian tissue in Europe.

Article	Year
Quantitative analysis of the sHLA-G protein in seminal plasma. American journal of reproductive immunology (New York, N.Y. : 1989)\| PubMed ID: 31132194	2019
Effect of mild α-chymotrypsin treatment of highly viscous semen samples on fertilization rates. Translational andrology and urology\| PubMed ID: 33532332	2021
In vitro growth (IVG) of human ovarian follicles in frozen thawed ovarian cortex tissue culture supplemented with follicular fluid under hypoxic conditions. Archives of gynecology and obstetrics\| PubMed ID: 35871693	2022
The effect of high-throughput vitrification of human ovarian cortex tissue on follicular viability: a promising alternative to conventional slow freezing? Archives of gynecology and obstetrics\| PubMed ID: 36175682	2023
Cryostorage of human ovarian tissue: evaluating the storage and disposal pattern over a 22-year period in 2475 patients. Reproductive biomedicine online\| PubMed ID: 37400319	2023
Comparison of angiogenic potential in vitrified vs. slow frozen human ovarian tissue. Scientific reports\| PubMed ID: 37558708	2023
First report on successful delivery after retransplantation of vitrified, rapid warmed ovarian tissue in Europe. Reproductive biomedicine online\| PubMed ID: 38744030	2024

Andreas Schallmoser

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