Abstract
Purpose: Create a 3-Dimensional artificial human ovary to mature human oocytes. Methods: Theca and granulosa cells were isolated from antral follicles of reproductive-aged women, seeded into micro-molded gels and self-assembled into complex 3D microtissues. Immunohistochemistry and live-dead staining confirmed theca cell identity and cellular viability at one week respectively. Placement of granulosa cell spheroids or cumulus-oocyte complexes into theca cell honeycomb openings resulted in creation of an artificial human ovary. Oocytes from this construct were assessed for polar body extrusion. Results: Theca and granulosa cells self-assembled into complex microtissues, remaining viable for one week. At 72 h after artificial human ovary construction, theca cells completely surrounded the granulosa spheroids or COCs without stromal invasion or disruption. Polar body extrusion occurred in one of three COCs assessed. Conclusions: An artifical human ovary can be created with self-assembled human theca and granulosa cell microtissues, and used for IVM and future oocyte toxicology studies.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 743-750 |
| Number of pages | 8 |
| Journal | Journal of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics |
| Volume | 27 |
| Issue number | 12 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - Dec 2010 |
Funding
Acknowledgements This research was supported by Research Funds from the Division of Reproductive Endocrinology & Infertility at the Women & Infants’ Hospital of Rhode Island, and by a grant from the Rhode Island Science and Technology Council.
Keywords
- Artificial ovary
- In vitro maturation
- Oocytes
- Self-assembly
- Theca cells
- Tissue engineering
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Reproductive Medicine
- Genetics
- Obstetrics and Gynecology
- Developmental Biology
- Genetics(clinical)