Three-Dimensional Ovary Model to Improve and Study Murine Follicle Growth.

Area of Science:

• Reproductive Biology
• Biomaterials Science
• Cell Biology

Background:

• In vitro platforms for cultivating ovarian follicles are crucial for fertility preservation in women with impaired gonadal function.
• Current methods often require manual hormone and growth factor supplementation.
• Improving follicle viability and maturation in vitro is essential for increasing conception chances.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a 3D ovary model that promotes follicle growth and viability through direct cell interactions.
• To investigate the role of stroma cell-follicle interactions in enhancing follicle maturation.
• To create a tunable biomaterial scaffold for improved in vitro folliculogenesis.

Main Methods:

• A transglutaminase crosslinked poly(ethylene glycol) (TG-PEG) hydrogel was synthesized, tuned for stiffness, and functionalized with RGD peptide.
• Small ovarian follicles were cultured within the TG-PEG hydrogel for seven days.
• Co-culture systems were employed, comparing paracrine signaling with direct cell-cell contact between follicles and support cells.

Main Results:

• Follicles cultured in the TG-PEG hydrogel exhibited growth and retained morphological characteristics.
• Oocytes acquired meiotic competence during the seven-day culture period.
• Co-culture with support cells, particularly through direct contact, significantly improved follicle growth compared to paracrine signaling alone.

Conclusions:

• The developed 3D ovary model using tunable TG-PEG hydrogels facilitates functional follicle growth in vitro.
• Direct interactions between support cells and follicles are key to enhancing follicle viability and maturation.
• This model provides a platform for studying follicle-stroma interactions to advance fertility preservation techniques.