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The human postmenopausal ovary as a tool for evaluation of cryopreservation protocols towards whole ovary
Milan Milenkovic1, Manda Gharemani, Anette Bergh
1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, SE-41345 Gothenburg, Sweden. milan.milenkovic@obgyn.gu.se
Purpose:
Cryopreservation of a complete ovary may be a future method for fertility preservation in cancer patients. Difficulties exist in cryopreservation of the relatively large ovarian tissue mass. This study evaluates whether a human postmenopausal ovary can be used, as a complement to animal models, in studies of this research field.
Methods:
Postmenopausal human ovaries (n = 10) were isolated and flushed through ovarian arteries with either the cryoprotectant dimethylsulphoxide or Ringer-Acetate, followed by slow freezing. After thawing, production of androgens during in vitro perfusion and morphology (light/electron microscopy) were assessed.
Results:
The dimethylsulphoxide-cryopreserved ovaries showed larger secretion of androgens during perfusion than Ringer Acetate-cryopreserved ovaries. Light microscopy showed well preserved morphology in both groups. Electron microscopy revealed normal appearance of stroma and vessels in the dimethylsulphoxide group.
Conclusions:
The study demonstrates the potential to use the postmenopausal human ovary for further studies aiming at optimizing cryopreservation protocols, with special reference to ovarian vascularity and stroma.
