Markers of growth and development in primate primordial follicles are preserved after slow cryopreservation

Shiying Jin, Lei Lei, Lonnie D. Shea, Mary B. Zelinski, Richard L. Stouffer, Teresa K. Woodruff

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

21 Scopus citations

Abstract

Objective: To investigate the effect of slow cryopreservation on the morphology and function of primate primordial follicles within ovarian tissue slices. Design: Fresh monkey ovarian tissue was frozen by slow cryopreservation and thawed for analysis of morphologic and functional parameters. Setting: University-affiliated laboratory. Animals: Rhesus monkey ovarian tissue. Intervention(s): None. Main Outcome Measure(s): Histologic analysis, follicle counting, assessment of protein abundance and localization. Result(s): After freezing and thawing, 89% of the primordial follicles maintained their laminar-based architecture, with sizes close to those of fresh fixed follicles. Molecular markers of early follicle health (activin subunits and the phosphorylated form of the signaling protein Smad2 [pSmad2]) were present in fresh and frozen-thawed primordial follicles. Stroma cells, but not follicles, had a higher level of TUNEL staining. Granulosa cells within the follicles of frozen-thawed ovarian tissue cultured for 48 hours had the capacity to proliferate and sustained expression of the activin subunits and nuclear pSmad2. Conclusion(s): This study provides evidence that markers of early follicle growth and development are preserved after slow cryopreservation and thaw, with little effect on follicle morphology and function.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)2627-2632
Number of pages6
JournalFertility and sterility
Volume93
Issue number8
DOIs
StatePublished - May 15 2010

Keywords

  • Slow cryopreservation
  • activin subunits
  • pSmad2
  • primordial follicles
  • rhesus monkey
  • stromal cell

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Reproductive Medicine
  • Obstetrics and Gynecology

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