7 research outputs found
In vitro maturation of human primordial ovarian follicles. Clinical significance, progress in mammals, and methods for growth evaluation
As cancer treatment improves, more young
women of reproductive age are surviving, but they suffer
from infertility as a consequence of the radiation and
chemotherapy. Human ovarian tissue containing
immature primordial follicles has been successfully
cryopreserved. The ultimate aim of this technique is to
induce ovarian function by re-plantation of ovarian
tissue or, further into the future, by in vitro maturation
(IVM) of the oocytes derived from the cryopreservedthawed
ovarian tissue, followed by routine in vitro
fertilization. IVM of primordial follicles from young
cancer survivors would avoid the risk of cancer retransmission
by the ovarian grafts. The present review
discusses the current achievements in IVM of female
germ cells and primordial ovarian follicles and the
attempts to improve their development by adding
various factors to the culture medium. The established
methods for the evaluation of survival and growth in
culture are also discussed: follicular counts,
immunocytochemical methods, transmission electron
microscopy, fluorescent viability markers and endocrine
assays. Although the development of IVM systems is
still in its infancy, researchers need to pursue their
approach step-by-step, especially with regard to factors
that might be involved in the activation of the ovarian
follicles or female germ cells. The final measure of
success will be the ability of the in vitro matured oocytes
to fertilize and produce healthy offsprings. The
availability of such treatment will probably lead to its
demand not only by cancer patients but by other women
as well