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Updated: Jun 24, 2026
06:40
Collection of Human Follicular Fluid, Follicle Somatic Cells, and Immature Oocytes from Individuals Undergoing In Vitro Fertilization
Published on: October 24, 2025
Bioengineering Ovarian Endocrine Function: From Follicle Modeling to Cell-Based Hormone Therapy
Maria João Sousa1, Christiani A Amorim1
1Pôle De Recherche en Physiopathologie de La Reproduction, Instituite of Experimental and Clinique Research, Université Catholique De Louvain, Brussels, Belgium.
Advanced Healthcare Materials
|June 23, 2026
Summary
Bioengineered ovarian platforms offer new hope for premature ovarian insufficiency (POI). Cell-based hormone replacement therapies (cHRTs) aim to restore endocrine function and fertility by mimicking natural hormone regulation.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive Endocrinology
- Bioengineering
- Tissue Engineering
Background:
- Premature ovarian insufficiency (POI) is an endocrine disorder causing infertility and hypoestrogenism before age 40.
- Current hormone replacement therapies (HRTs) inadequately replicate natural ovarian feedback loops.
- Bioengineering offers novel solutions for restoring ovarian endocrine function.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review advancements in bioengineered platforms for mimicking ovarian endocrine function.
- To highlight progress in cell-based hormone replacement therapies (cHRTs) for POI.
- To discuss challenges and potential of cHRTs in restoring reproductive and systemic health.
Main Methods:
- Review of 3D follicle-mimetic constructs, scaffold-free organoids, and ovary-on-a-chip systems.
- Emphasis on steroidogenesis reconstitution and granulosa-theca co-cultures.
- Analysis of cell-based therapies designed to re-engage the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian (HPO) axis.
Main Results:
- Development of sophisticated bioengineered platforms mimicking ovarian endocrine function.
- Progress in creating co-culture systems and dynamic microphysiological systems.
- Identification of key advancements in steroidogenesis and HPO axis re-engagement.
Conclusions:
- Cell-based hormone replacement therapies (cHRTs) represent a paradigm shift for POI treatment.
- cHRTs hold potential for restoring endocrine health, fertility, and systemic homeostasis.
- Overcoming challenges in immunoisolation and vascularization is crucial for clinical translation.
Related Concept Videos
01:30Hormonal Control of the Ovarian Cycle
The ovarian cycle is meticulously regulated by the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis. This cycle orchestrates the release of a mature oocyte, essential for reproduction.
Before puberty, the hypothalamus releases GnRH in a low frequency, low amplitude pulsatile manner. This along with the immature hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis activity, results in low estrogen levels and the absence of a fully functional ovarian cycle. At puberty, GnRH secretion increases in both frequency and...
Before puberty, the hypothalamus releases GnRH in a low frequency, low amplitude pulsatile manner. This along with the immature hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis activity, results in low estrogen levels and the absence of a fully functional ovarian cycle. At puberty, GnRH secretion increases in both frequency and...
01:20Folliculogenesis
Folliculogenesis is the development of ovarian follicles, the specialized structures within the ovarian cortex where oogenesis, or egg development, occurs. This process is essential for female reproductive health and begins during fetal development when primordial follicles are formed. Each primordial follicle comprises a primary oocyte in the center, surrounded by a single layer of squamous pre-granulosa cells. These follicles remain dormant in late prophase I of meiosis until triggered by...
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...
01:22Hormonal Regulation of the Menstrual Cycle
The ovarian cycle regulates endometrial changes throughout a single menstrual cycle via the coordinated action of gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (GnRH) and gonadotrophins.
At puberty, GnRH begins a pulsatile release pattern, which triggers the anterior pituitary gland to secrete follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH). The frequency and amplitude of GnRH pulses vary across the menstrual cycle, with faster pulses favoring LH release and slower pulses favoring FSH release.
At puberty, GnRH begins a pulsatile release pattern, which triggers the anterior pituitary gland to secrete follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH). The frequency and amplitude of GnRH pulses vary across the menstrual cycle, with faster pulses favoring LH release and slower pulses favoring FSH release.
01:22Target Cell Response to Hormones
Hormones intricately bind to receptors on the surface or within target cells, initiating a cascade of cellular responses.
Notably, the cellular response can be regulated by altering the number of receptors expressed in the cell. For example, prolonged exposure to elevated hormone levels results in a gradual decline or down-regulation in the number of receptors for that specific hormone on the cell surface. Conversely, in response to low hormone levels, cells may use up-regulation, producing an...
Notably, the cellular response can be regulated by altering the number of receptors expressed in the cell. For example, prolonged exposure to elevated hormone levels results in a gradual decline or down-regulation in the number of receptors for that specific hormone on the cell surface. Conversely, in response to low hormone levels, cells may use up-regulation, producing an...