biostudies-literatureUnknownCampo HNICHD NIH HHSNIA NIH HHSNCI NIH HHSGates FoundationThe 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-fJournal of visualized experiments : JoVEhttps://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC12688028biostudies-literatureProduction and Use of Customizable Agarose Molds for Scaffold-Free Mouse Ovarian Follicle Culture.PMC12688028U54 AG075932INV-003385T32 HD094699UH3 CA268105R01 HD105752Duncan FEGauthier SYan ZZhang HFZaniker-Gomez EJHashim PHCampo HAnkrum JAfalseProduction and Use of Customizable Agarose Molds for Scaffold-Free Mouse Ovarian Follicle Culture.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-f2025-01-01T00:00:00Z2025 Oct2026-06-08T04:59:26.177Z2026-06-08T03:08:36.235ZS-EPMC126880284121280910.3791/68871