A bioengineered in situ ovary (ISO) supports follicle engraftment and live-births post-chemotherapy.

ABSTRACT: Female cancer patients who have undergone chemotherapy have an elevated risk of developing ovarian dysfunction and failure. Experimental approaches to treat iatrogenic infertility are evolving rapidly; however, challenges and risks remain that hinder clinical translation. Biomaterials have improved in vitro follicle maturation and in vivo transplantation in mice, but there has only been marginal success for early-stage human follicles. Here, we developed methods to obtain an ovarian-specific extracellular matrix hydrogel to facilitate follicle delivery and establish an in situ ovary (ISO), which offers a permissive environment to enhance follicle survival. We demonstrate sustainable follicle engraftment, natural pregnancy, and the birth of healthy pups after intraovarian microinjection of

SUBMITTER: Buckenmeyer MJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10656812 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Jan-Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature