PURPOSE: To investigate the effect of antifreeze protein (AFP) supplementation on ovarian vitrification and transplantation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this experimental study, we researched a total of 182 ovaries from 4-week-old ICR mice. The equilibration solution included 20% ethylene glycol (EG), and the vitrification solution included 40% EG, 18% Ficoll, and 0.3 M sucrose. Intact ovaries were first suspended in 1 mL of equilibration solution for 10 min, and then mixed with 0.5 mL of vitrification solution for 5 min. Ovaries were randomly assigned to 3 groups and 0, 5, or 20 mg/mL of type III AFP was added into the vitrification solution (control, AFP5, and AFP20 groups, respectively). The vitrified ovaries were evaluated after warming and 2 weeks after autotransplantation. The main outcome measurements are follicular morphology and apoptosis assessed by histology and the TUNEL assay. RESULTS: A significantly higher intact follicle ratio was shown in the AFP treated groups (control, 28.9%; AFP5, 42.3%; and AFP20, 44.7%). The rate of apoptotic follicles was significantly lower in the AFP treated groups (control, 26.6%; AFP5, 18.7%; and AFP20, 12.6%). After transplantation of the vitrified-warmed ovaries, a significantly higher intact follicle ratio was shown in the AFP20 group. The rate of apoptotic follicles was similar among the groups. CONCLUSION: The results of the present study suggest that supplementing AFP in the vitrification solution has beneficial effects on the survival of ovarian tissue during cryopreservation and transplantation.
Animals ; Antifreeze Proteins/*pharmacology ; Apoptosis/drug effects ; Cryopreservation/*methods ; Cryoprotective Agents/*pharmacology ; Female ; Fertility Preservation ; Humans ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred ICR ; Ovarian Follicle/drug effects ; Ovary/*drug effects/*transplantation ; *Vitrification

As the number of young cancer survivors increases, quality of life after cancer treatment is becoming an ever more important consideration. According to a report from the American Cancer Society, approximately 810,170 women were diagnosed with cancer in 2015 in the United States. Among female cancer survivors, 1 in 250 are of reproductive age. Anticancer therapies can result in infertility or sterility and can have long-term negative effects on bone health, cardiovascular health as a result of reproductive endocrine function. Fertility preservation has been identified by many young patients diagnosed with cancer as second only to survival in terms of importance. The development of fertility preservation technologies aims to help patients diagnosed with cancer to preserve or protect their fertility prior to exposure to chemo- or radiation therapy, thus improving their chances of having a family and enhancing their quality of life as a cancer survivor. Currently, sperm, egg, and embryo banking are standard of care for preserving fertility for reproductive-age cancer patients; ovarian tissue cryopreservation is still considered experimental. Adoption and surrogate may also need to be considered. All patients should receive information about the fertility risks associated with their cancer treatment and the fertility preservation options available in a timely manner, whether or not they decide to ultimately pursue fertility preservation. Because of the ever expanding number of options for treating cancer and preserving fertility, there is now an opportunity to take a precision medicine approach to informing patients about the fertility risks associated with their cancer treatment and the fertility preservation options that are available to them.
Adult Stem Cells ; Cell Culture Techniques ; Cryopreservation/*methods ; *Embryo, Mammalian ; Female ; Fertility Preservation/*methods ; Humans ; Neoplasms/drug therapy/*therapy ; *Oocytes ; Ovarian Follicle/drug effects/metabolism/transplantation ; *Ovary/transplantation ; Ovulation Induction/methods ; Precision Medicine