Mouse ovarian tissue vitrification on copper electron microscope grids versus slow freezing: a comparative ultrastructural study
Ferda Topal-Celikkan A , Sinan Ozkavukcu B E , Deniz Balci C , Sibel Serin-Kilicoglu D and Esra Atabenli-Erdemli A
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations
A Ankara University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Histology and Embryology, 06230 Sihhiye, Ankara ,Turkey.
B Ankara University Faculty of Medicine, Center for Assisted Reproduction, 06100 Dikimevi, Ankara, Turkey.
C Ankara University Biotechnology Institute, 06830 Golbasi, Ankara, Turkey.
D Ufuk University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Histology and Embryology, 06520 Balgat, Ankara, Turkey.
E Corresponding author. Email: sinozk@gmail.com
Reproduction, Fertility and Development 27(7) 1020-1028 https://doi.org/10.1071/RD13262
Submitted: 13 August 2013 Accepted: 19 February 2014 Published: 20 March 2014
Abstract
There are many reasons, including cancer therapy, for premature ovarian failure and infertility. Oocyte, embryo and ovarian cryopreservation are current options for fertility preservation. Ovarian tissue cryopreservation is essential in patients whose cancer therapy cannot be delayed, including prepubertal girls, and is mostly performed using slow freezing. In the present study, mouse ovarian tissues were vitrified on copper electron microscope grids (n = 18) or conventionally slow frozen (n = 18). Post-thaw tissues were examined histologically using light and electron microscopy and compared with the control group. According to light microscopy observations, antral follicles were found to be better preserved with the slow freezing technique rather than vitrification. Electron microscopy revealed swollen mitochondria in the oocyte cytoplasm, condensations in the zona pellucida, breakages in the junctions of granulosa cells and vacuolisation in the extracellular space in pathologic follicles, which were relatively more frequent, in the vitrification group after thawing. These results indicate that ovarian slow freezing is preferable than vitrification on copper electron microscope grids, especially for larger follicles. Conversely, vitrification of ovarian pieces using cooper grids is user-friendly and provided good protection for primordial follicles and stromal cells. There is a need for further studies into advanced tissue vitrification techniques and carriers.
Additional keywords: cryoprotective agents, fertility preservation, follicle, granulosa cells, oocyte, thermal conductivity, ultrastructure.
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