Construction of an artificial ovary based on human preantral follicules


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Abstract

The artificial ovary is a temporary construct suitable for transplantation in women, which consists of isolated follicles and possibly other cells encapsulated in a natural or artificial scaffold (Chiti, Dolmans, Donnez, & Amorim, 2017). This technology can help patients diagnosed with cancers to preserve and restore fertility when any other options (controlled ovarian hyperstimulation, followed by embryo or oocyte vitrification or ovarian tissue cryopreservation) are inaccessible to them. Currently, there are no routine fertility preservation methods in patients having malignant ovarian tumors and a risk of ovarian metastases. Cancer treatment-related infertility negatively affects quality of life in patients. The development of new fertility preservation methods in this group of patients is an extremely urgent and important task. This paper considers the concept of an artificial ovary and the history of this technology and its possible applications to preserve the reproductive potential of women. Particular attention is paid to necessary conditions for the functioning of a biofabricated ovarian construct, such as the cellular composition and source of follicles, and the characteristics of a scaffold. This paper is concerned with the latest world achievements in creating an artificial ovary. Animal models have been used to provide evidence for the artificial ovary concept and to obtain viable offspring. In vitro culture of human follicles, followed by xenotransplantation, has shown their ability to grow in ovarian constructs. Conclusion: Despite its complexity, the artif icial human ovary technology is developing successfully today. Owing to this new technology, in the future there may be successful therapeutic human transplantation of artificial ovaries created in vitro. The artificial human ovary technology can also have other important applications, for example, in the study of folliculogenesis and in the toxicological studies of the effect of different drugs on human reproductive function.

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About the authors

Natalya K. Menshikova

Academician V.I. Kulakov National Medical Research Center of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Perinatology, Ministry of Health of Russia

Email: menshnatalya@gmail.com
Specialist of the 1st Gynecology Department

Anastasia O. Kirillova

Academician V.I. Kulakov National Medical Research Center of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Perinatology, Ministry of Health of Russia

Email: a_kozyreva@oparina4.ru
PhD, Senior Researcher of the 1st Gynecology Department

Nona G. Mishieva

Academician V.I. Kulakov National Medical Research Center of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Perinatology, Ministry of Health of Russia

Dr. Med. Sci., Leading Researcher of the 1st Gynecology Department

Maria L. Semenova

M.V. Lomonosov Moscow State University

Email: mlsemenova@gmail.com
Dr. Bio. Sci., Professor of the Department of Embryology, Faculty of Biology

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