Production of the first offspring from oocytes derived from fresh and cryopreserved pre-antral follicles of adult mice

Although mammalian ovaries contain hundreds of thousands of pre-antral follicles, fewer than 1% of these reach maturity and ovulation. Obtaining immature eggs from the pre-antral follicles of ovarian tissue could increase the possibility of preserving fertility in women undergoing anti-cancer treatment, and in women who wish to delay pregnancy and child raising until they are older. This study reports the birth of 10 healthy mouse pups derived from oocytes obtained from pre-antral follicles after adult ovary tissue cryopreservation and allotransplantation. High in-vitro maturation (55.1%), fertilization (76.3%) and cleavage (98.3%) rates were achieved using these oocytes, and there was no significant difference between the vitrified and control samples except in maturation rate (55.1 versus 72.8%, P < 0.05). After an ultra-rapid vitrification procedure, the warmed tissue fragments were transplanted beneath the kidney capsule of severe combined immunodeficient mice for onward in-vivo culture. Within 10 days of culture, 138 full size oocytes developed from the 456 transplanted pre-antral follicles. In-vivo growth of follicles was followed by in-vitro oocyte maturation, in-vitro fertilization and subsequent embryo transfer, leading to the birth of 10 healthy pups. These results may lead to increasing the possibility of preserving fertility by cryopreservation of ovarian tissue.     

Histological and biological assessment of vitrified ovarian follicles from large animals

Mammalian ovaries contain mixed populations of follicles at different developmental stages. A combination of vitrification and growth culture of ovarian follicles could provide the desired number of mature eggs from a preserved small amount of ovarian tissues. Secondary and primordial follicles from porcine and bovine ovaries were vitrified in solutions containing ethylene glycol, dimethyl sulfoxide and different concentrations of sucrose, and assessed via histological examination, viability staining, xenografting to immunodeficient mice, and in vitro culturing. Histological examination revealed the damage to oocytes and the damage to follicle components separately. The effects of sucrose in vitrification solutions on the follicles were different depending on the developmental stage of the follicle, oocyte size, cell type in the follicle, and species. Viability staining with fluorescein diacetate was useful to assess the damage to oocytes in secondary follicles. In the xenografts, vitrified bovine primordial and secondary follicles developed to the antral stage, and vitrified porcine primordial follicles developed to the secondary stage. Furthermore, bovine secondary follicles formed antrum-like structures in culture. These results suggest that histological examination and viability staining are valuable for assessing the direct effects of vitrification and warming conditions on follicles and oocytes, while xenografting and in vitro culturing can be useful for evaluating the developmental ability of vitrified follicles and oocytes.     

Vitrified human ovaries have fewer primordial follicles and produce less antimüllerian hormone than slow-frozen ovaries

Slow-freezing and vitrification methods of human ovarian tissue cryopreservation were compared in terms of primordial follicle count and in vitro antimüllerian hormone (AMH) and estradiol production. Compared with fresh and slow-frozen ovaries, vitrified ovaries contained statistically significantly fewer primordial follicles and produced statistically significantly less AMH in vitro. Estradiol production from slow-frozen and vitrified ovaries was similar but statistically significantly lower than from fresh cultured strips.     

3种玻璃化液对新生鼠卵巢的渗透反应及冻存效果的比较

目的:探索适宜新生鼠卵巢保存的玻璃化液和冷冻方案。方法:观察新生SD大鼠卵巢在预平衡液及3种玻璃化液中不同时间段的表面积变化,冻融后进行组织学观察和成年SD大鼠肾被膜下异体移植后在体活力分析。结果:新生鼠卵巢在预平衡液中出现渗透性脱水变化,移入EFS40(A组)、EG5.5(B组)、EG5.5/30(C组)3种玻璃化液中,再次剧烈皱缩。3min后,卵巢表面积分别为等渗液对照组表面积的63.2%、82.4%、70.8%。此脱水状态的卵巢玻璃化冻融后形态完整的卵泡百分率均与新鲜移植组(D组)无显著性差异(P>0.05);异体移植后,动情周期出现率和动情周期出现时间均与D组无显著性差异(P>0.05)。各冷冻移植组存活移植物均可见不同发育阶段的各级卵泡,但卵泡数目少于D组,移植20d时A组与D组间有显著性差异(P<0.05);移植60d时B组卵泡数少于D组,组间有差异(P<0.05);C组在各时间点上取材的卵泡数与D组均无差异(P>0.05)。结论:在预平衡液中15min、改良的EG5.5/30液中3min的二步渗透平衡法适宜新生鼠卵巢的玻璃化冷冻。     

Ovarian tissue vitrification: Cortex and whole ovary in sheep

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate a cryopreservation technique by vitrification of cortex or whole ovaries in sheep, using two cryoprotectant solutions: VS1 and VS4 and to study their physical properties to avoid ice crystallisation by vitrification of whole sheep ovaries permeated with a cryoprotectant solution. ANIMALS AND METHODS: From 6-month-old ewes, whole sheep ovaries with their vascular pedicles were collected at the slaughterhouse or at the veterinary school and prepared for cryoprotectant toxicity tests and freezing procedure. Follicle viability was measured by trypan blue test and histological examination of ovary. The hemi-ovarian cortex was stored in liquid nitrogen. Four to six weeks after the first laparotomy, the controlateral ovary was removed and the vitrified-warmed hemi-ovary was sutured. Thermal properties of a cryoprotectant solution called VS4 (critical cooling rates [Vccr], vitreous transition temperature [Tg], end of melting temperature [Tm]) were measured by differential scanning calorimetry. RESULTS: No significant difference in follicle viability or normal follicle rates was observed between ovarian cortex exposed or non-exposed to cryoprotectant solutions. Nor was any significant difference observed before and after vitrification. Three pregnancies occurred, from which four lambs were born after autografts of vitrified ovarian cortex. With whole ovary, the decrease in the number of normal follicles was lower when frozen-thawed ovaries were treated with VS4 (P = 0.04). There were less nuclear anomalies (P = 0.02). The Vccr of VS4 has been estimated to be 14.3+/-1.1 degrees C/min and Tg was -125.0+/-0.2 degrees C. Because the penetration of cryoprotectants was very low, Vccr was very high and the cooling speed did not allow cortex to vitrify. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: Cryopreservation of cortex or whole ovary by vitrification seems a promising technique in reproductive medicine. The best histologic results were obtained with the VS4 cryoprotectant when whole ovary was vitrified.     

Effects of vitrification solutions and equilibration times on the morphology of cynomolgus ovarian tissues

This study assessed the effects of vitrification solutions and equilibration times on morphology of cynomolgus ovarian tissues. Ovarian cortical sections (0.1–0.2 cm thickness) of seven cynomolgus monkeys were randomly allocated to either a control group or one of six vitrification groups. Ovarian tissue sections were vitrified ultra-rapidly by placing them directly into liquid nitrogen using two different vitrification solutions (VSEGP: 5.64 mol/l ethylene glycol + 5% (w/v) polyvinylpyrrolidone + 0.5 mol/l sucrose; and VSED: 3.22 mol/l ethylene glycol + 2.56 mol/l dimethylsulphoxide + 0.5 mol/l sucrose) after three different exposure times (5–20 min). After warming, follicle morphology was analysed using light and transmission electron microscopy. The proportion of morphologically normal follicles vitrified using VSED after a 5-min exposure was lower (P < 0.05) than those vitrified by other conditions. The proportion of normally structured mitochondria in oocytes of preantral follicles vitrified after a 5-min exposure to VSED (56%) was lower (P < 0.01) than those vitrified by other conditions (78–88%). Following tissue vitrification with VSED, the surface ratio of lysosome was increased compared with non-vitrified oocytes (1.64% versus 1.11%; P < 0.05). These results indicate that VSEGP can support the morphology of vitrified preantral follicles and oocytes.Cryopreservation of preantral follicles in ovarian tissues has been expected to be an effective measure for preserving fertility in young women who need to undergo cytotoxic therapy. However, a cryopreservation protocol has not yet been well established. This paper revealed that only 5-min exposure time to a cryoprotectant containing a combination of ethylene glycol and polyvinylpyrrolidone yields better follicle and oocyte morphology at an ultra-structural level in mammalian ovarian tissues after ultra-rapid vitrification using a new ultra-rapid vitrification device compared with a cryoprotectant containing a combination of ethylene glycol and dimethylsulphoxide. Survival rates of cancer patients are increasing. However, patients requiring chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy for cancer, leukaemia or other benign pathologies are likely to experience premature ovarian failure and loss of fertility as a consequence of these potentially gonadotoxic treatments. Use of the procedure reported in this study may increase the chance of fertility preservation.     

人工皱缩后玻璃化冷冻小鼠扩张囊胚的效果观察

目的:观察冷冻前人工皱缩小鼠扩张期囊胚的囊胚腔,冻融后小鼠扩张期囊胚的存活率及体外和体内继续发育能力。方法:冻前先应用自制的玻璃微细管人工皱缩小鼠囊胚腔后,再应用冷冻环进行玻璃化冷冻小鼠扩张期囊胚150个。冻融后培养3h观察胚胎存活情况,以新鲜扩张囊胚为对照,并将存活胚胎及新鲜未冻囊胚移植受体孕鼠子宫内,观察胚胎的妊娠率和产仔率。结果:人工皱缩后小鼠扩张囊胚的存活率及孵出率均显著高于未皱缩组(P<0.05),皱缩组与对照组无显著差异(P>0.05)。移植后皱缩组的妊娠率及产仔率均显著高于未皱缩组(P<0.05),皱缩组与对照组无显著差异(P>0.05)。结论:冻前人工皱缩小鼠扩张期囊胚的囊胚腔后,再应用冷冻环进行玻璃化冷冻是个行之有效的方法,能明显提高囊胚的玻璃化冷冻效率。     

两种冷冻保护剂玻璃化冷冻小鼠卵巢的比较研究

目的:探讨两种玻璃化冷冻保护剂对小鼠卵巢组织学和功能的影响。方法:将23只4周龄ICR雌鼠随机分为新鲜卵巢移植组(6只)、去势组(5只)、EG40组(6只)和ED20组(6只)。EG40组和ED20组分别应用乙二醇(EG)和联合应用EG与二甲基亚砜(DMSO)玻璃化冷冻小鼠卵巢组织,一周后解冻,将一部分复苏卵巢组织自体移植入小鼠肾被膜下,另一部分组织行组织学观察。移植术后5d开始观察所有小鼠的动情周期,一个月后处死小鼠,对存活的卵巢组织行组织学观察。结果:EG40组、ED20组和新鲜卵巢移植组小鼠动情周期出现率均为100%,出现动情周期的天数分别为10.2±1.2d、8.0±0.9d和6.8±1.0d,EG40组动情周期出现天数明显多于新鲜卵巢移植组(P<0.01);ED20组与新鲜卵巢移植组差异无显著性(P>0.05)。移植存活的卵巢组织内可见不同发育阶段的卵泡,形态正常,但冻融卵巢组织内卵泡数量比新鲜组织少。结论:联合应用玻璃化冷冻保护剂EG和DMSO对小鼠卵巢组织学和功能的影响较小。     

荷人卵巢上皮癌裸鼠冻融卵巢组织移植的效果评价

目的:获取人卵巢上皮癌裸鼠原位移植瘤癌旁正常卵巢组织,经安全筛查并冻融后移植至去势裸鼠体内,探讨移植后效果,为临床应用提供依据。方法:将人卵巢上皮癌OVCAR3细胞种植于裸鼠皮下以获取瘤源,并进行卵巢原位移植,建立卵巢癌原位移植瘤模型,解剖裸鼠获取癌旁正常卵巢组织。癌旁组:取筛选后的癌旁卵巢组织进行玻璃化冷冻,复苏后分别进行皮下及原位移植,各20例;对照组:同龄正常裸鼠卵巢组织,皮下移植及原位移植各20例;去势裸鼠组:20只同龄去势裸鼠;正常卵巢组:20只同龄正常裸鼠。移植12周后,分析各组裸鼠卵巢组织内卵泡形态及激素分泌功能。结果:40只人卵巢上皮癌裸鼠原位移植瘤模型中共获取35份活检正常的癌旁卵巢组织,获取率87.5%(35/40)。玻璃化冷冻前后卵巢组织中卵泡形态及各级卵泡比例均无显著差异(P>0.05),癌旁冷冻组织和癌旁新鲜组织的异常卵泡比例差异无统计学意义(P>0.05),冷冻组织以初级卵泡及次级卵泡等窦前卵泡为主。癌旁组皮下移植组织存活率80%(16/20),对照组皮下移植组织存活率90%(18/20),癌旁组原位移植组织存活率90%(18/20),对照组原位移植组织存活率95%(19/20)。移植后组织内卵泡以次级卵泡及窦状卵泡为主,各级卵泡的形态及构成比和未移植的同龄正常裸鼠卵巢相似(P>0.05);癌旁组卵泡数明显低于对照组(P<0.05)及正常卵巢组(P<0.01);皮下移植和原位移植组织内的各级卵泡数差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。癌旁组卵泡刺激素水平明显低于去势裸鼠组,而雌二醇水平明显高于去势裸鼠组(P<0.01);癌旁组卵泡刺激素水平明显高于对照组(P<0.05)及正常卵巢组(P<0.01),而雌二醇水平明显低于对照组(P<0.05)及正常卵巢组(P<0.01);皮下移植和原位移植的卵泡刺激素水平和雌二醇水平差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。结论:癌旁卵巢组织冻融移植后有正常卵泡发育及激素分泌功能;皮下移植和原位移植均可取得较好的效果;癌旁卵巢组织冻融移植有望作为卵巢上皮癌患者治疗后恢复卵巢内分泌功能的有效手段。     

两种玻璃化液冻存小鼠桑椹胚的研究

目的:研究EDS-40和EFS-40两种玻璃化溶液对小鼠桑椹胚冻存的影响。方法:随机选用NIH小鼠优质桑椹胚,先对两种玻璃化溶液EDS-40(40%乙二醇+18%葡聚糖+0.5mol蔗糖)和EFS-40(40%乙二醇+18%聚蔗糖+0.5mol蔗糖)行毒性测试:再在20℃±5℃室温下,将小鼠桑椹胚分别加入到两种玻璃化溶液,玻璃化后装管并迅速投入液氮中,冻存2-3个月。各组均在25℃的水浴中复温,胚胎用解冻液(S-PBS)和培养液反复洗涤后移入含Ham'sF12培养液培养48h,观察胚胎形态及发育。部分胚胎体外培养12-14h后行胚胎移植,观察妊娠及产仔情况。结果:两种玻璃化溶液的毒性有显著性差异,EDS-40较EFS-40毒性低(X2=6.415,P<0.05),透明带完好率两组间无显著性差异(X2=2.189,P>0.05)。胚胎优良率(X2=7.51,P<0.01)和发育率(X2=5.556,P<0.05)EDS-40较EFS-40更好,两组间妊娠率(X2=1.937,P>0.05)及产仔率(X2=0.245,P>0.05)无显著性差异。结论:EDS-40较EFS-40玻璃化溶液毒性低,冻存胚胎效果更好。     

Growth of follicles of various animals following ovarian grafting under the kidney capsules of immunodeficient mice

Aim:  Various researchers have studied xenografting ovarian tissues into immunodeficient mice to accelerate the follicular growth of several mammalian species. In this study, the authors focused on the following three points in growing follicles in transplanted ovarian tissues under kidney capsules: the effects of the storage conditions of the donor ovarian tissues, the effects of donor age on the survival rates of grafted mouse ovaries, and the methods used to grow the follicles of xenografted bovine ovaries.
Methods and Results:  When ovaries stored for 0, 6, 12 or 24 h at 4°C and at room temperature were transplanted under the kidney capsules of immunodeficient mice, fewer mouse and rabbit grafts survived following 24 h storage. The survival rates of bovine grafts were relatively low for all storage times. When mouse ovaries were held for 24 h at 4°C or at room temperature, low-temperature storage effectively improved the survival rates of the grafts. Although the survival rates of grafted genital ridges containing premeiotic germ cells from fetuses and grafted ovaries from mice 0, 10, 20, 40 and 80 days after birth were similar among donors of different ages, the cleavage rate of oocytes following insemination was significantly lower in the grafts from the ovaries of 80-day-old mice. Antral follicles formed in surviving bovine ovarian grafts. Cumulus–oocyte complexes were collected from the grafted ovaries of fetuses and calves, and the oocytes reached the metaphase II stage following culture, but they did not develop to the pronuclear stage after in vitro fertilization.
Conclusion:  Our findings provide basic data on xenografting ovarian tissues into immunodeficient mice to accelerate the growth of follicles. (Reprod Med Biol 2008; 7 : 45–54)     

Decreased pregnancy and live birth rates after vitrification of in vitro matured oocytes

Purpose

To assess effects on fertilization rate, embryo quality, pregnancy, and live birth rates of vitrification and warming of oocytes that matured in vitro (vIVM) compared to fresh in vitro maturation (fIVM) cycles.

Methods

A retrospective cohort study conducted at a university hospital-affiliated IVF unit. Fifty-six cycles of vIVM cycles and 263 fIVM in women diagnosed with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) ovaries were included in the analysis. The study group included PCOS patients who failed ovulation induction with intrauterine insemination and were offered IVM cycle followed by oocyte vitrification and warming. The embryological aspects and clinical outcomes were compared to those of controls undergoing fresh IVM cycles during the same period. The main outcome measure was live birth rate.

Results

One thousand seventy oocytes were collected from 56 patients and underwent vitrification and warming. In the control group, 4781 oocytes were collected from 219 patients who had undergone a fresh IVM cycle. Oocyte maturation rates were similar between the groups (mean ± SD: 0.7?±?0.2 vs. 0.6?±?0.2, for vIVM and fIVM, respectively). Survival rate after warming was 59.8%. Fertilization and embryo cleavage rates per oocyte were significantly lower in the vIVM group. Clinical pregnancy (10.7 vs. 36.1%) and live birth rates (8.9 vs. 25.9%) per cycle were significantly lower in the vIVM group than those in the fIVM group (P?=?0.005 and P?<?0.001, respectively). Five healthy babies were born in the vIVM group.

Conclusions

The reproductive potential of vitrified IVM oocytes is impaired. This injury likely occurs through vitrification and warming.

     

Effects of supra-zero storage on human ovarian cortex prior to vitrification–warming

This study investigated the effects of supra-zero storage on ovarian cortex of 12 premenopausal patients before cryopreservation. Fresh ovarian tissue (control) was either vitrified immediately or stored at 4°C for 24 h or 48 h before vitrification. This study assessed malondialdehyde release during storage and the capacity to synthesize oestradiol in culture, follicle morphology and the proportion of apoptotic follicles subsequent to vitrification–warming. The malondialdehyde concentration in the storage medium increased significantly in a time-dependent manner (P = 0.029). Oestradiol release during tissue culture decreased statistically significantly in both storage groups compared with the immediate vitrification group (P = 0.043). The proportion of high-quality follicles was significantly different between the fresh group and the two storage groups (24 h, P < 0.01; 48 h, P < 0.001). The proportion of apoptotic follicles was significantly different between the fresh and immediate vitrification groups (P < 0.05). The 24-h and 48-h groups were not different compared with the other groups. This study provides evidence that storage at supra-zero conditions has detrimental effects on the human ovarian cortex. Storage duration should therefore be limited to a minimum to prevent potential damage.     

A 60-month non-comparative study on bleeding profiles with the levonorgestrel intrauterine system from the late transition period to estrogen supplemented menopause

Objective

To investigates the effect of sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) supplementation on follicular integrity and apoptosis in vitrified-warmed mouse ovarian grafts.

Study design

Ovaries from 4-week-aged ICR mice were vitrified using a vitrification solution with or without 2 μM S1P. After warming, follicular normality was assessed by histological analysis and TUNEL assay. A part of ovaries vitrified with or without 2 μM S1P was transplanted, and 2 weeks later, gross and microscopic follicular morphology was assessed.

Results

During vitrification and warming, inclusion of 2 μM S1P into the vitrification solution significantly raised the rate of morphologically intact follicles compared to controls (36.6% vs. 30.8%, p = 0.047). This protective effect was profound especially in primordial follicles (45.5% vs. 34.6%, p = 0.034). After transplantation of vitrified-warmed ovaries, the morphological integrity of primordial follicles was superior in the S1P-treated group (55.0% vs. 39.4%, p = 0.035). The rates of non-apoptotic follicles (TUNEL-negative) were similar in the two groups in either non-transplanted or transplanted ovaries.

Conclusion

Inclusion of S1P in the vitrification solution during transplantation of vitrified-warmed ovary had a beneficial effect on preservation of the primordial follicular pool.     

Assessment of vitrification outcome by xenotransplantation of ovarian cortex pieces in γ-irradiated mice: morphological and molecular analyses of apoptosis

Purpose

The aim of this study was the investigation of caspase-3/7 activity and apoptosis related gene expression after vitrification and xenotransplantation of human ovarian fragments.

Methods

Ovarian specimens were obtained from normal female-to-male transsexual women during laparoscopic surgery and cut into small pieces and were considered as vitrified and non-vitrified groups. The morphological study, terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) assay, caspase-3/7 activity and apoptosis related gene expression analysis were done in both non-vitrified and vitrified groups in two steps (before transplantation of ovarian tissues and 30 days after transplantation).

Result(s)

In spite of high rate of normal follicles in both non-transplanted tissues these rates were significantly decreased in vitrified and non-vitrified grafted tissues, moreover grafted-vitrified tissue showed significantly less normal follicles than grafted-non-vitrified group (P < 0.05). The expression of some pro and anti-apoptotic genes in vitrified-warmed tissues were not changed compared to non-vitrified ones but the expression of Fas and caspase8 was increased and the expression of BRIC5 was decreased in this group (P < 0.05). In transplanted vitrified group the Bcl2, FasL and BRIC5 gene expression was high and caspase8 was low (P < 0.05). The expression of all genes in both grafted groups was more than non-grafted tissues except for caspase8 (P < 0.05). The TUNEL positive signals and caspase-3/7 activity were increased in both grafted groups compared to non-grafted groups and this enzyme activity in grafted-vitrified group was more than grafted-non-vitrified group (P < 0.05).

Conclusion(s)

This study provides the first evidence on the significant effect of vitrification on follicular apoptosis of grafted human ovarian tissue at mRNA level. The signs of follicular survival or degeneration detected by morphological assessment and caspase-3/7 activity were closely correlated to the changes in expression of apoptosis-related genes.     

4种冷冻-解冻方法对家兔卵巢组织形态学的影响

目的:探讨适宜的卵巢组织冻存方案。方法:采用PROH(A2组)及DMSO(B2组)慢速程序化冷冻和DMSO+PROH(C2组)及DMSO+EG(D2组)玻璃化冷冻方法,冻存家兔卵巢组织,解冻复苏后,以相应的4组新鲜组织为对照(A1-D1组),做HE染色,行组织形态学分析。结果:A1-D1组始基卵泡的形态正常率分别为90.1%、91.5%、91.8%、92.2%,其相对应的A2-D2组分别下降为67.6%、69.7%、70.5%、80.1%,差异均有统计学意义(P均<0.05)。冷冻组中A2组始基卵泡形态正常率最高,与B2、C2、D2组比,差异有显著性(P<0.05)。C2、D2组间比,差异无显著性(P>0.05)。各冷冻组合并后形态正常率始基卵泡为72.7%,初级卵泡为55.7%,两者比较有统计学差异(P<0.05)。4个冷冻组中均可见卵巢组织结构受损的表现。结论:4种冷冻解冻方法对卵巢皮质中各级卵泡及卵巢组织结构均造成一定程度的损害,使各级卵泡的形态正常率明显下降,卵巢间质细胞连接变得疏松;PROH慢速程序化冷冻法明显优于DMSO法及玻璃化法,较适合卵巢组织中始基卵泡的保存;冻存卵巢组织对初级卵泡的影响大于始基卵泡。     

Vitrification of biopsied embryos at cleavage,morula and blastocyst stage

This study investigated the effect of vitrification on biopsied embryos at various developmental stages. After biopsy on day 3, embryos were vitrified at cleavage, morula and blastocyst stages using a commercially available kit. Non-biopsied embryos were vitrified as controls. For day-3 cleavage embryo vitrification, embryos from abnormally fertilized oocytes were randomly allocated to the biopsy and control groups. For morula and blastocyst vitrification, the embryos used in the biopsy groups were obtained from aneuploidy or affected embryos diagnosed by preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD). After warming, survival, blastulation and development of embryos in different groups were compared. The survival rate after warming in the non-biopsied cleavage control group was significantly higher than in the biopsied cleavage group (92.0% versus 64.0%, P = 0.037). Most of the biopsied embryos were destroyed due to blastomeres escaping. At the morula stage, both biopsied and non-biopsied embryos had similar survival rates. However, a significantly higher survival rate (95.6%) was observed in the biopsied blastocyst group compared with the control group (81.3%, P = 0.035). Biopsied embryos vitrified at an advanced stage had as high survival rates as non-biopsied embryos. Vitrification at the blastocyst stage is a practical and efficient solution for embryo cryopreservation during PGD.     

Follicle development in grafted mouse ovaries after cryopreservation and subcutaneous transplantation

OBJECTIVE: Our aim was to determine the impact of freezing, thawing, and subcutaneous transplantation on follicular development in grafted mouse ovaries. STUDY DESIGN: The mice were divided into 3 groups: control (group 1), frozen-thawed grafting (group 2), and frozen-thawed grafting with human menopausal gonadotropin injection (group 3). After freezing and thawing, the ovaries were transplanted into the subcutaneous tissue. Two weeks after transplantation, grafted ovaries and blood samples were collected. RESULTS: Ovaries from group 3 contained significantly more follicles (246 +/- 43 follicles) than group 2(P <.05). The pattern and intensity of Cx37 immunohistochemical staining was similar in all groups. Follicle-stimulating hormone concentrations were significantly decreased in group 2 after ovarian grafting. CONCLUSION: In mice, gonadotropin treatment before subcutaneous grafting improved the survival of growing follicles. Subcutaneous ovarian transplantation may restore ovarian function and could obviate many of the problems that are related to ovarian banking for humans.     

超声下未成熟卵泡抽吸术治疗多囊卵巢综合征不孕的临床研究

目的　探讨超声下未成熟卵泡抽吸术(IMFA)对多囊卵巢综合征(PCOS)不孕患者卵巢窦卵泡计数及其内分泌功能的影响;观察IMFA后,应用人绝经期促性腺激素(hMG)促排卵治疗的效果、妊娠及并发症情况。方法　将71例PCOS不孕患者随机分为两组。组Ⅰ: 37例,穿刺前用少量hMG促排卵; 组Ⅱ: 34例,不用任何促排卵药物。在阴道超声引导下进行IMFA,检查穿刺后第2个周期患者的内分泌功能和卵巢基础窦卵泡计数,可连续2~3个周期进行穿刺。随后2组均用hMG常规促排卵治疗,随访其排卵及妊娠情况。结果　组Ⅰ进行了88个周期的穿刺治疗,经过2~3次穿刺后,睾酮水平、黄体生成素(LH )与卵泡刺激素(FSH)的比值均明显降低,与治疗前比较,差异有统计学意义(P<0. 01), 33例(89%, 33 /38)患者基础窦卵泡计数降至10个/卵巢以下。组Ⅱ进行了87个周期治疗,所有患者睾酮水平均显著降低,与治疗前比较,差异有统计学意义(P<0 01 ); 30例LH/FSH<2, 28例(82%, 28 /34)患者基础窦卵泡计数降到10个/卵巢以下。在IMFA之后, 诱发排卵时hMG用量组Ⅰ为(21±6)支,组Ⅱ(23±10)支,两组比较,差异无统计学意义(P>0 .05),在注射人绒毛膜促性腺激素(hCG)后均出现排卵, 组Ⅱ有2例发生轻度卵巢过度刺激综合征(OHSS)。连续促排卵治疗1 ~3个月后, 共36例(51% )