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In Vitro Culture Strategy for Oocytes from Early Antral Follicle in Cattle
Published on: July 8, 2020
Strategies to support human oocyte development in vitro
Evelyn E Telfer1, Marie McLaughlin
1Institute of Cell Biology and Centre for Integrative Physiology, University of Edinburgh, Scotland. evelyn.telfer@ed.ac.uk.
The International Journal of Developmental Biology
|February 19, 2013
Summary
Developing in vitro systems for human oocyte development from primordial follicles offers new fertility preservation options for cancer patients. Research focuses on optimizing culture systems for complete oocyte growth and maturation.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive biology
- Developmental biology
- Oncology supportive care
Background:
- Ovarian cortical tissue preservation is crucial for fertility preservation in young cancer patients undergoing gonadotoxic therapies.
- Current fertility restoration relies on ovarian tissue transplantation, which has limitations.
- Immature primordial follicles in ovarian biopsies are a key source for fertility restoration.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the development of in vitro systems for complete human oocyte growth and maturation from primordial follicles.
- To advance fertility preservation options beyond ovarian tissue transplantation.
- To review current approaches and assessment strategies for in vitro grown (IVG) human oocytes.
Main Methods:
- Utilizing a multi-step culture system for bovine and human oocyte development.
- Working with both fresh and cryopreserved ovarian cortical tissue.
- Investigating strategies for assessing the health and viability of in vitro matured oocytes.
Main Results:
- Successful development of in vitro grown (IVG) oocytes from primordial follicles has been achieved in mice, leading to live offspring.
- Significant challenges remain in developing comparable in vitro systems for complete human oocyte development due to species-specific differences.
- Ongoing research focuses on refining culture systems to support human oocyte growth from primordial to mature stages.
Conclusions:
- Developing robust in vitro oocyte maturation systems from primordial follicles could revolutionize fertility preservation for cancer survivors.
- Further research is needed to overcome species-specific hurdles in human oocyte in vitro development.
- Effective assessment of IVG oocyte health and viability is critical for successful fertility restoration.
Related Concept Videos
01:24In Vitro Fertilization
In vitro fertilization (IVF) is a form of assisted reproductive technology where an egg is fertilized with sperm in a controlled laboratory environment before transferring the resulting embryo into the uterus. This process is designed to help individuals and couples experiencing difficulties conceiving.
The IVF process begins with ovarian stimulation, during which reproductive endocrinologists prescribe hormonal medications to stimulate the ovaries to produce multiple eggs instead of the single...
The IVF process begins with ovarian stimulation, during which reproductive endocrinologists prescribe hormonal medications to stimulate the ovaries to produce multiple eggs instead of the single...
02:07Oogenesis
In human women, oogenesis produces one mature egg cell or ovum for every precursor cell that enters meiosis. This process differs in two unique ways from the equivalent procedure of spermatogenesis in males. First, meiotic divisions during oogenesis are asymmetric, meaning that a large oocyte (containing most of the cytoplasm) and minor polar body are produced as a result of meiosis I, and again following meiosis II. Since only oocytes will go on to form embryos if fertilized, this unequal...
01:22Oogenesis
Oogenesis, the process of developing egg cells (female gametes), occurs within the ovaries and is fundamental to female fertility. This sequence begins during fetal development when diploid oogonia in the developing ovaries undergo mitotic divisions to produce primary oocytes. By birth, these primary oocytes enter prophase I of meiosis but become arrested in this stage, remaining suspended until puberty.
Each primary oocyte is surrounded by a layer of pre-granulosa cells, forming what is known...
Each primary oocyte is surrounded by a layer of pre-granulosa cells, forming what is known...