[Comparison of survival and developmental rates of mouse ovarian follicles after two and three dimensional cultures]

ABSTRACT

In vitro ovarian follicle culture provides a tool to investigate folliculogenesis and may be used as an assisted reproductive technology [ART]. This study aims to compare survival and development rates in mouse ovarian follicles after two and three dimensional in vitro cultures. Preantral follicles were isolated from the ovaries of 14-day old female mice and cultured in alpha-MEM medium supplemented with 5% FBS for 12 days in a two dimensional and three dimensional culture with different concentrations of sodium alginate [0.25%, 0. 5%, or 1%]. The follicle diameter, survival and maturation rate during culture were analyzed and compared with one-way analysis of variance [ANOVA]. P<0.05 was considered as statistically significant. The mean diameter of preantral follicles that capsulated with 0.5% alginate was significantly higher than other concentrations in each group on days 6 and 12 [P<0.001]. The percentages of follicles which released metaphase two [MII] oocytes in the two dimensional groups and in the three dimensional groups at 0.25%, 0.5% and 1% concentrations of sodium alginate were 29.03%, 33.33%, 44.18% and 35.89% respectively. The percentage of MII oocytes was significantly higher at the 0.5% concentration of sodium alginate [P<0.001]. Follicles encapsulated in 0. 5% sodium alginate in three dimensional culture displayed the highest survival development and maturation rate.