ABSTRACT
Objective: This study was designed to evaluate the effects of vitrification and in vitro culture of human ovarian tissue on the expression of oocytic and follicular cell-related genes
Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, ovarian tissue samples were obtained from eight transsexual women. Samples were cut into small fragments and were then assigned to vitrified and non-vitrified groups. In each group, some tissue fragments were divided into un-cultured and cultured [in alpha-MEM medium for 2 weeks] subgroups. The normality of follicles was assessed by morphological observation under a light microscope using hematoxylin and eosin [H and E] staining. Expression levels of factor in the germ line alpha [FIGLA], KIT ligand [KL], growth differentiation factor 9 [GDF-9] and follicle stimulating hormone receptor [FSHR] genes were quantified in both groups by real-time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction [RT-PCR] at the beginning and the end of culture
Results: The percentage of normal follicles was similar between non-cultured vitrified and non-vitrified groups [P>0.05], however, cultured tissues had significantly fewer normal follicles than non-cultured tissues in both vitrified and non-vitrified groups [P<0.05]. In both cultured groups the rate of primary and secondary follicles was significantly higher than non-cultured tissues [P<0.05]. The expression of all examined genes was not significantly altered in both non-cultured groups. Whiles, in comparison with cultured tissues non-cultured tissues, the expression of FIGLA gene was significantly decreased, KL gene was not changed, GDF-9 and FSHR genes was significantly increased [P<0.05]
Conclusion: Human ovarian vitrification following in vitro culture has no impairing effects on follicle normality and development and expression of related-genes. However, in vitro culture condition has deleterious effects on normality of follicles