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Orthotopic Ovarian Transplantation Procedures to Investigate the Life- and Health-span Influence of Ovarian Senescence in Female Mice
Published on: February 12, 2018
Autophagy phenomenon in mice ovaries following transplantation
1Reproductive Medicine Center, First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China.
Abstract:
Ovarian cryopreservation and transplantation is a fertility preservation option, but a majority of follicles were lost due to grafting process. Accelerated activation of primordial follicle and follicle apoptosis are responsible for follicle depletion following grafting. Since apoptosis and autophagy share common upstream signals, and cell switches between apoptosis and autophagy, the aim of this study was to investigate whether autophagy took place in ovaries following transplantation. Transmission electron microscopy and immunofluorescence were used to detect autophagic changes in grafted mice ovaries. Results shown that autophagosomes increased rapidly at 2 days following ovarian transplantation in granulosa cells of growing follicles, and stromal cells. The study indicated that autophagy is actively involved during ovarian grafting. Manipulation of autophagy might provide another way to improve ovarian reserved during grafting.
Insights
Ovarian grafting for fertility preservation leads to follicle loss. This study found that autophagy, a cellular process, is active after ovarian transplantation, suggesting it could be manipulated to improve outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive biology
- Cellular biology
- Fertility preservation techniques
Background:
- Ovarian cryopreservation and transplantation is a key fertility preservation method.
- Significant follicle loss occurs post-transplantation due to accelerated activation and apoptosis.
- Autophagy and apoptosis share regulatory pathways, suggesting a potential link in ovarian grafting.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of autophagy in ovarian tissue following transplantation.
- To determine if autophagic processes are activated in grafted ovaries.
- To explore potential therapeutic targets for improving ovarian reserve during grafting.
Main Methods:
- Ovarian transplantation in a mouse model.
- Transmission electron microscopy to visualize cellular structures.
- Immunofluorescence to detect autophagic markers in ovarian cells.
Main Results:
- Autophagosomes, indicative of autophagy, significantly increased within 2 days post-transplantation.
- Autophagic activity was observed in granulosa cells of growing follicles and stromal cells.
- The findings demonstrate active autophagic processes in grafted ovaries.
Conclusions:
- Autophagy is actively involved in the cellular response to ovarian grafting.
- Targeting or manipulating autophagy may offer a novel strategy to mitigate follicle loss.
- Further research into autophagy modulation could enhance the success of ovarian transplantation for fertility preservation.
