Human Reproduction Update, Vol.9, No.2 pp.119-129, 2003
© European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology 2003; all rights reserved
Cryopreservation of oocytes from pre-antral follicles
1 Programa de Pós-graduação em Medicina Veterinária, Centro de Ciências Rurais, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, Santa Maria, RS, Brazil, CEP 97105-900 3 Departamento de Medicina Veterinária, Faculdade de Veterinária, Universidade Estadual do Ceará, Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil, CEP 60740-000 4 Present address: Programa de Pós-graduação em Ciências Veterinárias, Faculdade de Veterinária, Universidade Estadual do Ceará, Av. Paranjana, 1700 CEP 60740-000, Fortaleza, CE, Brazil 5 Present address: Programa de Pós-graduação em Medicina Veterinária, Universidade Federal de Santa, Campus Universitário, Faixa Camobi, Km 9, Hospital Veterinário Prédio 97 CEP 97105-900, Santa Maria, RS, Brazil
To whom correspondence should be addressed at: C. A. Amorim, Programa de Pós-graduação em Medicina Veterinária, Centro de Ciências Rurais, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, Santa Maria, RS, Brazil, CEP 97105-900. E-mail: amorimc_kleinj{at}yahoo.com
Abstract
Cryobiology is a very important tool in reproductive biology. Research in this area focuses on the possibility of restoring fertility in women with reproductive problems or after cancer treatments. Another goal is to establish a genetic resource bank for endangered or commercially important animal species. Cryopreservation of oocytes from pre-antral follicles has been studied during the past decade. Procedures can be divided between the cryopreservation of either ovarian tissue or isolated follicles. Most studies describe a slow freezing/rapid thawing protocol to cryopreserve ovarian fragments. Histology shows that the follicles maintain their morphological integrity, and transplantation of ovarian tissue demonstrates that the follicles can restart their growth and eventually ovulate. Some research groups have obtained offspring using this procedure in mice and sheep. With regard to the cryopreservation of isolated follicles, the few studies reported in this area used the same freezing protocol, and some of them described follicular growth using in-vitro culture. The best result was obtained in mice, with animal birth after follicular cryopreservation and culture. However, additional studies are necessary for a better understanding of the events during follicular cryopreservation and to establish a standard protocol for ovarian transplantation or follicle culture.
Key words: cryoprotectant / freezing / isolated follicles / oocyte / ovarian tissue
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