Engineering the ovarian cycle using in vitro follicle culture.

ABSTRACT:

Study question

Can cultured follicles model the ovarian cycle, including follicular- and luteal-phase hormone synthesis patterns and ovulation?

Summary answer

Under gonadotrophin stimulation, murine follicles grown in an encapsulated three-dimensional system ovulate in vitro and murine and human follicle hormone synthesis mimics follicular and luteal phases expected in vivo.

What is known already

Studies of the human ovary and follicle function are limited by the availability of human tissue and lack of in vitro models. We developed an encapsulated in vitro follicle growth (eIVFG) culture system, which preserves 3D follicular structure. Thus far, the alginate system has supported the culture of follicles from mice, dog, rhesus macaque, baboon and human. These studies

SUBMITTER: Skory RM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4447886 | biostudies-literature | 2015 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature