• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
• /
• v.48 no.2
• /
• pp.111-123
• /
• 2021

Objective: Using domestic cats as a biomedical research model for fertility preservation, the present study aimed to characterize the influences of ovarian tissue encapsulation in biodegradable hydrogel matrix (fibrinogen/thrombin) on resilience to cryopreservation, and static versus non-static culture systems following ovarian tissue encapsulation and cryopreservation on follicle quality. Methods: In experiment I, ovarian tissues (n=21 animals; 567 ovarian fragments) were assigned to controls or hydrogel encapsulation with 5 or 10 mg/mL fibrinogen (5 or 10 FG). Following cryopreservation (slow freezing or vitrification), follicle viability, morphology, density, and key protein phosphorylation were assessed. In experiment II (based on the findings from experiment I), ovarian tissues (n=10 animals; 270 ovarian fragments) were encapsulated with 10 FG, cryopreserved, and in vitro cultured under static or non-static systems for 7 days followed by similar follicle quality assessments. Results: In experiment I, the combination of 10 FG encapsulation/slow freezing led to greater post-thawed follicle quality than in the control group, as shown by follicle viability (66.9%±2.2% vs. 61.5%±3.1%), normal follicle morphology (62.2% ±2.1% vs. 55.2%±3.5%), and the relative band intensity of vascular endothelial growth factor protein phosphorylation (0.58±0.06 vs. 0.42±0.09). Experiment II demonstrated that hydrogel encapsulation promoted follicle survival and maintenance of follicle development regardless of the culture system when compared to fresh controls. Conclusion: These results provide a better understanding of the role of hydrogel encapsulation and culture systems in ovarian tissue cryopreservation and follicle quality outcomes using an animal model, paving the way for optimized approaches to human fertility preservation.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
• /
• v.39 no.3
• /
• pp.95-106
• /
• 2012

It has been revealed that multiple cohorts of tertiary follicles develop during some animal estrous cycle and the human menstrual cycle. To reach developmental competence, oocytes need the support of somatic cells. During embryogenesis, the primordial germ cells appear, travel to the gonadal rudiments, and form follicles. The female germ cells develop within the somatic cells of the ovary, granulosa cells, and theca cells. How the oocyte and follicle cells support each other has been seriously studied. The latest technologies in genes and proteins and genetic engineering have allowed us to collect a great deal of information about folliculogenesis. For example, a few web pages (http://www.ncbi.nlm. nih.gov; http://mrg.genetics.washington.edu) provide access to databases of genomes, sequences of transcriptomes, and various tools for analyzing and discovering genes important in ovarian development. Formation of the antrum (tertiary follicle) is the final phase of folliculogenesis and the transition from intraovarian to extraovian regulation. This final step coordinates with the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis. On the other hand, currently, follicle physiology is under intense investigation, as little is known about how to overcome women's ovarian problems or how to develop competent oocytes from in vitro follicle culture or transplantation. In this review, some of the known roles of hormones and some of the genes involved in tertiary follicle growth and the general characteristics of tertiary follicles are summarized. In addition, in vitro culture of tertiary follicles is also discussed as a study model and an assisted reproductive technology model.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
• /
• v.35 no.3
• /
• pp.231-238
• /
• 2008

Objective: Significant portion of premature ovarian failure patients ovulate intermittently and even can achieve pregnancy. The clinical features and reproductive potentials of Korean women with premature ovarian failure have never been elucidated. The purpose of this study is to assess ovarian follicular growth and ovulatory potential. Methods: Complete medical records of fifteen women with idiopathic premature ovarian failure were reviewed retrospectively. Subjects with more than 6 ultrasonographic scans and 36 months of follow-up period were included. Once the ovarian follicle was found by ultrasonography, the follicular growth was serially monitored. The result of ovulation induction of 6 cycles in 4 patients were also evaluated. Rate of positive ovarian follicle by ultrasound, rate of natural follicular growth and response of ovulation induction were assessed. Results: Among the 15 patients, 6 women (40%) had ovarian follicle in random ultrasonography. But the chance of positive follicle per ultrasonography scan was 7% (8 out of 115 scans). One out of 6 women eventually ovulated during the follow-up scan. In remaining 5 subjects, size of follicles remained unchanged. None of 6 ovulation induction cycles resulted successful ovulation. Conclusion: Incidence of positive ovarian follicle in Korean premature ovarian failure patients is lower than that of Western counterpart. This result, however, could not be directly compared because of the differences of study design. The ovulation rate by medical ovulation induction in this group is 0%, which is worse than the reported success rate of Western studies.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
• /
• v.46 no.4
• /
• pp.197-201
• /
• 2019

Objective: The aim of this study was to establish whether differences in ovarian size exist between the right and the left ovary of the same individual in women with polycystic ovary syndrome. Methods: In total, 206 Korean women with polycystic ovary syndrome were included in this study. In all participants, a transvaginal or transrectal ultrasound examination was conducted in the early follicular phase of the menstrual cycle. Results: A significant linear correlation was found between the two ovaries with regard to antral follicle count and ovarian volume. The mean antral follicle count in the right ovary (26.75 ± 11.72) was significantly higher than that in the left ovary (23.98 ± 10.85), and the mean volume of the right ovary (11.06 ± 5.17 cm³) was significantly different from that of the left ovary (9.12 ± 4.89 cm³). Conclusion: Ovarian size is different between the right and the left ovary in women with polycystic ovary syndrome.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
• /
• v.46 no.2
• /
• pp.43-49
• /
• 2019

Primordial follicle activation is a process in which individual primordial follicles leave their dormant state and enter a growth phase. While existing hormone stimulation strategies targeted the growing follicles, the remaining dormant primordial follicles were ruled out from clinical use. Recently, in vitro activation (IVA), which is a method for controlling primordial follicle activation, has provided an innovative technology for primary ovarian insufficiency (POI) patients. IVA was developed based on Hippo signaling and phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN)/phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (AKT)/forkhead box O3 (FOXO3) signaling modulation. With this method, dormant primordial follicles are activated to enter growth phase and developed into competent oocytes. IVA has been successfully applied in POI patients who only have a few remaining remnant primordial follicles in the ovary, and healthy pregnancies and deliveries have been reported. IVA may also provide a promising option for fertility preservation in cancer patients and prepubertal girls whose fertility preservation choices are limited to tissue cryopreservation. Here, we review the basic mechanisms, translational studies, and current clinical results for IVA. Limitations and further study requirements that could potentially optimize IVA for future use will also be discussed.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
• /
• v.46 no.1
• /
• pp.30-35
• /
• 2019

Objective: Bilateral uterine artery ligation (UAL) is a fertility-preserving procedure used in women experiencing postpartum hemorrhage (PPH). However, the long-term effects of this procedure on ovarian function remain unclear. The aim of this study was to investigate whether bilateral UAL compromised ovarian reserve and ovarian blood supply. Methods: This prospective study included 49 women aged between 21 and 36 years who had undergone a cesarean section for obstetric indications. Of these, 25 underwent uterine bilateral UAL to control intractable atonic PPH. The control group consisted of 24 women who had not undergone bilateral UAL. Standard clinical parameters, the results of color Doppler screening, and ovarian reserve markers were assessed in all participants at 6 months after surgery. The clinical parameters included age, parity, cycle history, body mass index, and previous medication and/or surgery. Color Doppler screening findings included the pulsatility index (PI) and resistance index (RI) for both the uterine and ovarian arteries. The ovarian reserve markers included day 3 follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) levels, antral follicle count, and $anti-M\ddot{u}llerian$ hormone (AMH) levels. Results: There were no significant differences in the ovarian reserve markers of day 3 FSH levels, antral follicle count, and AMH levels between the study and control groups (p> 0.05 for all). In addition, no significant differences were observed in the PI and RI indices of the uterine and ovarian arteries (p> 0.05 for all). Conclusion: In this study, we showed that bilateral UAL had no negative effects on ovarian reserve or ovarian blood supply, so this treatment should be used as a fertility preservation technique to avoid hysterectomy in patients experiencing PPH.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
• /
• v.18 no.2
• /
• pp.123-131
• /
• 1991

In order to study the growth and maturation of ovarian follicle, the localization and activity of alkaline phosphatase(ALPase) and adenosine triphosphatase(ATPase) of the granulosa cells and theca layer were examined according to the follicle size, the follicle state and the ovarian cyclic phase in pig. Theca interna of the small follicles was more heavyly localized with reaction product by the activites of ALPase and ATPase than that of the large follicles. It is assumed that, as the follicles proceed to growth and maturation, antrum formation is the result of the follicular fluid accumulation by means of active transport by the activities of ALPase and ATPase in theca interna. The activities of ALPase and ATPase in atretic follicles were higher than those of normal follicles. These results imply that the mechanisms of follicle maturation and atresia are different according to the phase of ovarian cycle.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
• /
• v.41 no.2
• /
• pp.86-91
• /
• 2014

Objective: The aim of the present study was to investigate the relationship between ovarian follicle count and volume on ultrasonography and serum hormone levels including the levels of the anti-$M\ddot{u}llerian$ hormone (AMH) and gonadotropin in women with the polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Methods: A total of 118 Korean women aged 18-35 years who were newly diagnosed with PCOS at a university hospital were included in this study. Serum LH, FSH, and AMH levels were measured in the early follicular phase, and the total antral follicle count (TFC) and the total ovarian volume (TOV) were assessed by ultrasonography. The correlations between serum hormonal parameters and ultrasonography characteristics in women with PCOS were evaluated using Pearson's correlation coefficients and a linear regression analysis. Results: Serum AMH levels were significantly correlated with serum LH levels and LH/FSH ratios, and TFC and TOV were significantly correlated with each other on ultrasonography. Serum AMH and LH levels and the LH/FSH ratio were significantly correlated with TFC. Statistically significant correlations between TOV and the LH level (r=0.208, p=0.024) and the LH/FSH ratio (r=0.237, p=0.010) were observed. However, the serum AMH level was not significantly correlated with the ovarian volume, and this result did not change after adjusting for age and body mass index. Conclusion: Serum AMH is not related to the ovarian volume in women with PCOS. My results suggest that serum LH level and the LH/FSH ratio may be more useful than the serum AMH level for representing the status of the ovarian volume in women with PCOS.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
• /
• v.29 no.1
• /
• pp.116-126
• /
• 2016

Objectives: The purpose of these cases is to report the effects of oriental medicine on two patients with premature ovarian failure. Methods: Two patients who had amenorrhea and hot flashes caused by premature ovarian failure were treated by oriental medicine such as herb medication. We estimated the effects of treatments by follow-up measurements of serum hormone level, menstrual cycle and symptoms. Besides, follicle and endometrium were checked by ultrasonography for academic research.Results After treatments, their symptoms of premature ovarian failure were improved and the menstrual cycle resumed. And the level of serum Follicle Stimulating Hormone decreased and the level of serum E₂ increased.Conclusions Two cases shows that oriental medicine has effects on patients with premature ovarian failure by follow-up measurements of serum hormone level, menstrual cycle and symptoms.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
• /
• v.21 no.3
• /
• pp.353-357
• /
• 2008

A series of studies has been conducted to establish a base infrastructure for an ovarian follicle culture system in the porcine and this study was designed to develop an effective retrieval protocol of preantral follicles. Five different methods using collagenase type I (A) or IV (B, C1, C2 and C3), which employed different treatment durations and/or conditions, were employed and sliced ovarian tissue of prepubertal gilts was provided for the retrieval. A significant increase in total number of follicles retrieved was detected when collagenase IV (methods B or C) was used. In total, more ovarian follicles were retrieved by method B undertaking agitation and method C2 without the agitation than method C1 and C3, while the number of preantral follicles collected was the largest in method B. Neither incubation in 5% $CO_2$ in air atmosphere instead of the agitation nor increased duration of enzymatic treatment up to 120 minutes improved the efficiency of follicle retrieval. There were no differences in the number of follicles retrieved from intact ovaries and from used ovaries for oocyte collection. These results demonstrate the collagenase IV treatment with agitation is effective for retrieving porcine preantral follicles from the ovaries.