Production and Use of Customizable Agarose Molds for Scaffold-Free Mouse Ovarian Follicle Culture.

ABSTRACT: The ovarian follicle is the functional unit of the ovary that produces hormones and gametes needed to sustain female reproductive function and health. The ability to recapitulate folliculogenesis, ovulation, and luteinization in vitro has broad basic, translational, and clinical utility. The most advanced in vitro follicle growth systems maintain the follicle's three-dimensional (3D) architecture, which is crucial for the development of meiotically competent metaphase II oocytes in humans. Recently, a scaffold-free method for in vitro follicle growth of mouse multilayer secondary follicles was developed and validated. For this, custom 3D printed molds were used to micropattern agarose with microwells that accommodate the volumetric expansion of follicles. Follicles grown in this scaffold-f

SUBMITTER: Campo H 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12688028 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature