Name: fertility preservation in patients with severe ovarian dysfunction
Uploaded: 2021-03-25T13:00:00
Description: Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Fertility Preservation in Patients with Severe Ovarian Dysfunction at JoVE.com

We thank Tatsuji Ihana, Sachiyo Kurimoto, Kazuko Takahasih, Yuki Yoshizawa, Maho Arashi, Kentaro Fujita, Erina Kudo, Yuka Kurimoto and Mayuko Wakatsuki for supporting the drug-free IVA procedure and Prof. Aaron J.W. Hsueh (Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA) for critical reading and editing of the manuscript. We also thank Rebecca Truman and Gregory Truman for inserting English narration. This study was supported by The Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS), Scientific Research B (19H03801), and Challenging Exploratory Research (18K19624).

Written informed consent was obtained from each POR patient with diminishing ovarian reserve who enrolled in the drug-free IVA treatment. This study was approved by ethical committee of International University of Health and Welfare (No. 17-S-21). Clinical trial was registered under number UMIN000034464 and carried out in accordance with the Code of Ethics of the World Medical Association (Declaration of Helsinki).
1. Ovarian cortex extraction
<ol>
	<li>Remove part of ovarian cortex (10 x 10...

<ol>
	<li>Liang, T., Motan, T. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Mature+Oocyte+Cryopreservation+for+Fertility+Preservation.">Mature Oocyte Cryopreservation for Fertility Preservation.</a> Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology. 951, 155-161 (2016).</li><li>Yoon, T. K., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Live+births+after+vitrification+of+oocytes+in+a+stimulated+in+vitro+fertilization-embryo+transfer+program.">Live births after vitrification of oocytes in a stimulated in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer program.</a> Fertility and Sterility. 79 (6), 1323-1326 (2003).</li><li>Donnez, J., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Livebirth+after+orthotopic+transplantation+of+cryopreserved+ovarian+tissue.">Livebirth after orthotopic transplantation of cryopreserved ovarian tissue.</a> Lancet. 364 (9443), 1405-1410 (2004).</li><li>Meirow, D., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Pregnancy+after+transplantation+of+cryopreserved+ovarian+tissue+in+a+patient+with+ovarian+failure+after+chemotherapy.">Pregnancy after transplantation of cryopreserved ovarian tissue in a patient with ovarian failure after chemotherapy.</a> New England Journal of Medicine. 353 (3), 318-321 (2005).</li><li>De Vos, M., Devroey, P., Fauser, B. C. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Primary+ovarian+insufficiency.">Primary ovarian insufficiency.</a> Lancet. 376 (9744), 911-921 (2010).</li><li>Scott, R. T., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Follicle-stimulating+hormone+levels+on+cycle+day+3+are+predictive+of+in+vitro+fertilization+outcome.">Follicle-stimulating hormone levels on cycle day 3 are predictive of in vitro fertilization outcome.</a> Fertility and Sterility. 51 (4), 651-654 (1989).</li><li>Ferraretti, A. P., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=ESHRE+consensus+on+the+definition+of+'poor+response'+to+ovarian+stimulation+for+in+vitro+fertilization:+the+Bologna+criteria.">ESHRE consensus on the definition of 'poor response' to ovarian stimulation for in vitro fertilization: the Bologna criteria.</a> Human Reproduction. 26 (7), 1616-1624 (2011).</li><li>Huhtaniemi, I., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Advances+in+the+Molecular+Pathophysiology,+Genetics,+and+Treatment+of+Primary+Ovarian+Insufficiency.">Advances in the Molecular Pathophysiology, Genetics, and Treatment of Primary Ovarian Insufficiency.</a> Trends in Endocrinology and Metabolism. 29 (6), 400-419 (2018).</li><li>M&#281;czekalski, B., Maciejewska-Jeske, M., Podfigurna, A. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Reproduction+in+premature+ovarian+insufficiency+patients+-+from+latest+studies+to+therapeutic+approach.">Reproduction in premature ovarian insufficiency patients - from latest studies to therapeutic approach.</a> Prz Menopauzalny. 17 (3), 117-119 (2018).</li><li>Baker, V. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Life+plans+and+family-building+options+for+women+with+primary+ovarian+insufficiency.">Life plans and family-building options for women with primary ovarian insufficiency.</a> Seminars in Reproductive Medicine. 29 (4), 362-372 (2011).</li><li>Englert, Y., Govaerts, I. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Oocyte+donation:+particular+technical+and+ethical+aspects.">Oocyte donation: particular technical and ethical aspects.</a> Human Reproduction. 13, 90-97 (1998).</li><li>Englert, Y., Rodesch, C., Laruelle, C., Govoerts, I. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Oocyte+donation:+ethical+aspects+related+to+the+donor.">Oocyte donation: ethical aspects related to the donor.</a> Contraception, Fertilite, Sexualite. 25 (3), 251-257 (1997).</li><li>Storgaard, M., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Obstetric+and+neonatal+complications+in+pregnancies+conceived+after+oocyte+donation:+a+systematic+review+and+meta-analysis.">Obstetric and neonatal complications in pregnancies conceived after oocyte donation: a systematic review and meta-analysis.</a> BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology. 124 (4), 561-572 (2017).</li><li>Storgaard, M., Malchau, S., Loft, A., Larsen, E., Pinborg, A. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Oocyte+donation+is+associated+with+an+increased+risk+of+complications+in+the+pregnant+woman+and+the+fetus.">Oocyte donation is associated with an increased risk of complications in the pregnant woman and the fetus.</a> Ugeskrift for Laeger. 179 (11), (2017).</li><li>Kawamura, K., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Hippo+signaling+disruption+and+Akt+stimulation+of+ovarian+follicles+for+infertility+treatment.">Hippo signaling disruption and Akt stimulation of ovarian follicles for infertility treatment.</a> Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. 110 (43), 17474-17479 (2013).</li><li>Hsueh, A. J., Kawamura, K., Cheng, Y., Fauser, B. C. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Intraovarian+control+of+early+folliculogenesis.">Intraovarian control of early folliculogenesis.</a> Endocrine Reviews. 36 (1), 1-24 (2015).</li><li>Li, J., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Activation+of+dormant+ovarian+follicles+to+generate+mature+eggs.">Activation of dormant ovarian follicles to generate mature eggs.</a> Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America. 107 (22), 10280-10284 (2010).</li><li>Suzuki, N., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Successful+fertility+preservation+following+ovarian+tissue+vitrification+in+patients+with+primary+ovarian+insufficiency.">Successful fertility preservation following ovarian tissue vitrification in patients with primary ovarian insufficiency.</a> Human Reproduction. 30 (3), 608-615 (2015).</li><li>Tanaka, Y., Hsueh, A. J., Kawamura, K. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Surgical+approaches+of+drug-free+in+activation+and+laparoscopic+ovarian+incision+to+treat+patients+with+ovarian+infertility.">Surgical approaches of drug-free in activation and laparoscopic ovarian incision to treat patients with ovarian infertility.</a> Fertility and Sterility. , (2020).</li><li>Kawamura, K., Ishizuka, B., Hsueh, A. J. W. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Drug-free+in-vitro+activation+of+follicles+for+infertility+treatment+in+poor+ovarian+response+patients+with+decreased+ovarian+reserve.">Drug-free in-vitro activation of follicles for infertility treatment in poor ovarian response patients with decreased ovarian reserve.</a> Reproductive Biomedicine Online. 40 (2), 245-253 (2020).</li><li>Haino, T., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Determination+of+Follicular+Localization+in+Human+Ovarian+Cortex+for+Vitrification.">Determination of Follicular Localization in Human Ovarian Cortex for Vitrification.</a> Journal of Adolescent and Young Adult Oncology. 7 (1), 46-53 (2018).</li><li>Baird, D. T., Webb, R., Campbell, B. K., Harkness, L. M., Gosden, R. G. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Long-term+ovarian+function+in+sheep+after+ovariectomy+and+transplantation+of+autografts+stored+at+-196+C.">Long-term ovarian function in sheep after ovariectomy and transplantation of autografts stored at -196 C.</a> Endocrinology. 140 (1), 462-471 (1999).</li><li>Qin, Y., Jiao, X., Simpson, J. L., Chen, Z. J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Genetics+of+primary+ovarian+insufficiency:+new+developments+and+opportunities.">Genetics of primary ovarian insufficiency: new developments and opportunities.</a> Human Reproduction Update. 21 (6), 787-808 (2015).</li><li>Domniz, N., Meirow, D. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Premature+ovarian+insufficiency+and+autoimmune+diseases.">Premature ovarian insufficiency and autoimmune diseases.</a> Best Practice &amp; Research: Clinical Obstetrics &amp; Gynaecology. 60, 42-55 (2019).</li><li>Laven, J. S. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Primary+Ovarian+Insufficiency.">Primary Ovarian Insufficiency.</a> Seminars in Reproductive Medicine. 34 (4), 230-234 (2016).</li><li>Grynberg, M., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Fertility+preservation+in+Turner+syndrome.">Fertility preservation in Turner syndrome.</a> Fertility and Sterility. 105 (1), 13-19 (2016).</li><li>Tomao, F., Spinelli, G. P., Panici, P. B., Frati, L., Tomao, S. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Ovarian+function,+reproduction+and+strategies+for+fertility+preservation+after+breast+cancer.">Ovarian function, reproduction and strategies for fertility preservation after breast cancer.</a> Critical Reviews in Oncology/Hematology. 76 (1), 1-12 (2010).</li><li>Kim, S., Lee, Y., Lee, S., Kim, T. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Ovarian+tissue+cryopreservation+and+transplantation+in+patients+with+cancer.">Ovarian tissue cryopreservation and transplantation in patients with cancer.</a> Obstetrics &amp; Gynecology Science. 61 (4), 431-442 (2018).</li><li>Donnez, J., Dolmans, M. M. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Ovarian+tissue+freezing:+current+status.">Ovarian tissue freezing: current status.</a> Current Opinion in Obstetrics and Gynecology. 27 (3), 222-230 (2015).</li><li>Wu, R. C., Kuo, P. L., Lin, S. J., Liu, C. H., Tzeng, C. C. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=X+chromosome+mosaicism+in+patients+with+recurrent+abortion+or+premature+ovarian+failure.">X chromosome mosaicism in patients with recurrent abortion or premature ovarian failure.</a> Journal of the Formosan Medical Association. 92 (11), 953-956 (1993).</li><li>De Munck, N., Vajta, G. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Safety+and+efficiency+of+oocyte+vitrification.">Safety and efficiency of oocyte vitrification.</a> Cryobiology. 78, 119-127 (2017).</li><li>Argyle, C. E., Harper, J. C., Davies, M. 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In this manuscript, we showed a detailed laboratory protocol for drug-free IVA. The drug-free IVA is a new approach of infertility treatment for POR patient with diminishing ovarian reserve to promote secondary follicles growth, resulting in yielding more mature oocytes after ovarian stimulation and increasing in successful pregnancy20. In 15 POR patients with diminishing ovarian reserve, this approach achieved one spontaneous pregnancy, in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer allowed four live bir...

Ovarian function declines progressively during aging and some pathophysiological conditions including karyotype abnormality, autoimmune diseases, chemo- and radiation-therapies, and ovarian surgeries. Fertility preservation is one of the best options for unmarried women with severe ovarian dysfunction to preserve their potential for future pregnancy. For fertility preservation, currently two methods are available mostly in the onco-fertility field. Oocyte cryopreservation is a well-established procedure for fertility preservation and many successful cases have been reported1,2. On the other hand, ovarian tissue cryopreservation was also established for fertility preservation in cancer patients but it is still an experimental strategy3,4. In both methods, multiple numbers of mature oocytes are needed for pregnancy to occur. Generally, patients with premature ovarian insufficiency (POI), who become amenorrhea before 40 years of age, and middle-aged women with low ovarian reserve showed poor ovarian response (POR) to ovarian stimulation for yielding mature oocytes5,6,7. Furthermore, young patients with a low number of antral follicles also showed POR to the ovarian stimulation7. These patients have very limited number of retrievable oocytes even after proper ovarian hyperstimulation, thus requiring multiple expensive procedures to ensure a sufficient number of oocytes for pregnancy.
Oocyte donation followed by in vitro fertilization (IVF) with husband&#39;s sperm and embryo transfer (ET) is the only option for these POI and POR patients who have difficulties obtaining their own oocytes8,9,10. However, oocyte donation is complicated by ethical issues as well as autoimmune and pregnancy complications11,12,13,14. To solve these issues, the establishment of infertility treatment using patients&#39; own oocytes is desired. For POI patients, we have developed the in vitro activation (IVA) approach to allow successful follicle growth and the generation of mature oocytes, leading a number of pregnancies and deliveries15. In IVA, we fragmented ovarian cortexes after removal of ovaries under laparoscopic surgery and cultured them for two days to activate follicles by Akt-stimulating drugs and then perform heterotopic grafting back into artificial pouches made beneath the serosa of Fallopian tubes under second laparoscopic surgery15. This procedure promoted growth of primordial, primary and secondary follicles after ovarian cortex fragmentation to promote Hippo signaling disruption16, followed by two days culture with Akt signaling stimulators17.
In contrast to severe POI cases, POR patients with decreased ovarian reserve have multiple secondary follicles. Because Hippo signaling disruption alone is effective in promoting secondary follicle growth16, we recently demonstrated successful pregnancies and deliveries for POR patients using the drug-free IVA procedure involving cortical fragmentation and orthotopic grafting without treatment of the Akt stimulating drugs. Drug-free IVA stimulates early stage of ovarian follicles to develop to the preantral follicle stage after only one surgery and increased the number of retrieved oocytes for IVF-embryo transfer15,18. The drug-free IVA approach has several advantages as compared with our original IVA by 1) avoiding potential follicle loss during culture, 2) minimizing invasiveness and costs of the second surgery, 3) involving only short-term post-surgery bed rest and 4) potential of spontaneous pregnancy due to orthotopic grafting. We recently published a video article showing the surgical procedures of drug-free IVA19 and detailed protocols of ovarian stimulation after the surgery20. Here, we present details of laboratory methods required for drug-free IVA.

<table border="1" fo:keep-together.within-page="1" fo:keep-with-next.within-page="always">
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<td>4.5 onz specimen container</td>
			<td>FALCON</td>
			<td>354013</td>
			<td>Other products may also be suitable</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>60mm dish</td>
			<td>FALCON</td>
			<td>351007</td>
			<td>Other products may also be suitable</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>50 x 50 cm sterile drape</td>
			<td>HOGY Medical</td>
			<td>SR-823</td>
			<td>Any type of sterile produsts may also be suitable</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Disposable pippete</td>
			<td>FALCON</td>
			<td>357575</td>
			<td>Other products may also be suitable</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Fine scissors, Curved</td>
			<td>WPI</td>
			<td>#14224-G</td>
			<td>Although other products may also be suitable, we strongly recommend use this products</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Hot plate</td>
			<td>TOKAI HIT</td>
			<td>TPiE-SP</td>
			<td>Use at operation room to maintain the temperature of dishes containing ovarian tissue before transplantation</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Human Serum Albumin Solution</td>
			<td>Irvine Scientific</td>
			<td>9988</td>
			<td>Medium for handling ovarian tissue</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>IVA cannule</td>
			<td>KITAZATO</td>
			<td>446030 IVA-6030E</td>
			<td>Specific cannula for tissue autografting</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>KAI medical Disposable scalpel</td>
			<td>WPI</td>
			<td>#5 10-A</td>
			<td>Although other products may also be suitable, we strongly recommend use this products</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Micro scissors, Curved</td>
			<td>WPI</td>
			<td>#503364</td>
			<td>Although other products may also be suitable, we strongly recommend use this products</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Modified HTF Medium-HEPES</td>
			<td>Irvine Scientific</td>
			<td>90126</td>
			<td>Medium for handling ovarian tissue</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Sterile gauze</td>
			<td>Osaki Medical</td>
			<td>15004</td>
			<td>Any type of sterile produsts may also be suitable</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Swiss Tweezers, Curved Tips</td>
			<td>KAI</td>
			<td>#504505</td>
			<td>Although other products may also be suitable, we strongly recommend use this products</td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>

fertility preservation in patients with severe ovarian dysfunction

Ovarian function progressively declines during aging and in some pathophysiological conditions including karyotype abnormality, autoimmune diseases, chemo- and radiation-therapies, as well as ovarian surgeries. In unmarried women with severe ovarian dysfunction, fertility preservation is important for future pregnancies. Although oocyte cryopreservation is an established method for fertility preservation, these patients could only preserve a limited number of oocytes even after ovarian hyperstimulation, leading to repeated stimulations to ensure sufficient oocytes to guarantee future pregnancy. To solve this issue, we have recently developed a drug-free in vitro activation (IVA) procedure, which enable us to stimulate early stages of ovarian follicles to develop to the preantral follicle stage. These preantral follicles can respond to the unique protocol of gonadotropin stimulation, resulting in increased number of retrieved oocytes per ovarian stimulation for cryopreservation. The drug-free IVA comprised from the surgical approach and ovarian stimulation. We removed a part of cortex from one or both ovaries from patients under laparoscopic surgery. The ovarian cortical tissues were cut into small cubes to disrupt the Hippo signaling pathway and stimulate the development of early stage follicles. These cubes were grafted orthotropically into remaining ovaries as well as beneath the serosa of both Fallopian tubes. We have already published the surgical procedure of the drug-free IVA and the protocol of subsequent ovarian stimulation, but herein we present the details of laboratory methods required for drug-free IVA.

In the first publication of the IVA approach15, we transplanted the ovarian cortical cubes one by one into the grafting sites under laparoscopic surgery (Figure 1A). Because 100-150 ovarian cubes were used, it took 3-4 hours for tissue grafting under laparoscopic surgery. Also, some ovarian cubes were lost before grafting. Because the IVA cannula could transfer 20-30 cubes to a grafting site at one time (Figure 1B), we could shorten the o...

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Fertility Preservation in Patients with Severe Ovarian Dysfunction at JoVE.com

Fertility Preservation in Patients with Severe Ovarian Dysfunction

We present details of laboratory procedures for drug-free in vitro activation (IVA) of ovarian follicles for patients with severe ovarian dysfunction. This method could increase the number of retrievable oocytes per ovarian hyperstimulation and benefit fertility preservation for those patients.

Ovarian function progressively declines during aging and in some pathophysiological conditions including karyotype abnormality, autoimmune diseases, ...

The goal of this movie is to demonstrate the procedure of our new approach to patients with ovarian dysfunction. Ovarian function declines progressively during aging and some pathophysiological conditions including karyotype abnormality, auto immune diseases, chemo and radiation therapies, and ovarian surgeries. Most of middle-aged women with a low ovarian reserve showed poor ovarian response to ovarian stimulation for yielding mature oocytes.Furthermore, young patients with a low number of antral follicles also showed poor ovarian response to the ovarian stimulation. Fertility preservation is important to save the potential OCS for future pregnancy. For fertility preservation, oocyte cryopreservation was established.However, these poor ovarian response patients could retrieve a very limited number of oocytes even after proper ovarian stimulation, leading to the requirement of repeated expensive procedures to ensure a sufficient number of oocytes to guarantee one baby. To solve these issues, we have recently developed the in vitro activation, IVA procedure, which enables us to stimulate the early stage of ovarian follicles to develop to pre-antral follicle stage. The original IVA procedure can promote primordial, primary, and secondary follicle growth by ovarian cortex fragmentation, leading to hippo signaling disruption.This is then followed by two days of culturing with Akt signaling stimulator. This procedure is suitable for POI patients with few residual follicles. However, this procedure is an excessive treatment for the patients who have multiple secondary follicles.For the patients who have some residual secondary follicles, we established the method called drug-free IVA and have already tested the possibility of promoting secondary follicle growth by only disrupting the hippo signaling pathway. We've also had some successful cases of delivery by drug-free IVA. We have already published the surgical procedure of the drug free IVA and the protocol of following ovarian stimulation.In this video, we present the details of laboratory methods required for drug-free IVA. We recruited the patients for drug-free IVA based on the Bologna criteria. The patients could have multiple secondary follicles.At first, part of the cortex was removed from one or both ovaries by laparoscopy. POR patients are those who had middle-size ovaries. In most of the patients, we extracted only part of the cortical tissues from the ovaries on one or both sides.Extracted critical tissues were immediately transferred to a culture dish containing culture medium with HEPES buffer, and dissected this small tissue into small cubes for hippo signaling disruption. Details of the procedure will be shown in this video. Hippo signaling pathway is essential to maintain optimal organ size.This pathway consists of several negative growth regulators. Once the hippo signaling is disrupted, phosphorylation levels of YAP, one of the negative growth regulators acting in a kinase cascade, is decreased and nuclear levels of YAP is increased. YAP acts in concert with TEAD transcriptional factors to increase downstream CCN growth factor.On the other hand, actin polymerization of globular acting, G-actin, to the filamentous form, F-actin, is important for cell shape maintenance and locomotion. Previously reported induction of F-actin formation disrupts hippo signaling and induces overgrowth in human HeLa cells. We previously reported ovarian fragmentation increase F-actin formation, and it leads to the decrease of the level of phosphorylation of YAP.It leads to increased expression of CCN growth factor. After cutting, these cubes are grafted into the remaining ovary. This procedure can promote the residual secondary follicle growth and lead to an increased number of matured oocyte.Drug-free IVA consists of four steps. We have already published the surgical procedure for drug-free IVA. Please refer to that literature for ovarian cortex extraction and auto-grafting.Here we show the detail procedures of laboratory methods required for drug-free IVA. In step one, we show how ovarian cortex fragmentation is performed. In step two, we show how to load the ovarian cortical cubes into the device for transplantation, Here, I will show ovarian cortex fragmentation.This study was approved by ethical committee of our institute, and all procedures were carried out in accordance with the Code of Ethics of World Medical Association. Ovarian cortex fragmentation. The following tools required for this step:a dish, sterile gauze, fine scissors, fine forceps, and scalpel.We usually use this type of dish and sterile gauze but other products like plastic Petri dish, glass dish, et cetera, may also be suitable for this procedure, and any type of sterile gauze is also suitable. We do however strongly recommend the use of this shape of forceps and scalpel. In addition, use the hot plate for maintaining the temperature of the dishes containing tissues Place under the sterile drape.Cortical tissues are immediately transferred into the dish containing mHTF. Take a picture with patient's name for correlating with patient's data. Record the size, thickness, and condition of the tissue.Remove residual medulla tissue. Before tissue fragmentation, remove the medulla tissue. Put the cortex on the sterile gauze.As shown in the video, the gauze is moistened with medium. During this procedure, apply medium with a disposable pipette before the surface of cortex is dried out. Remove residual tissues with micro scissors until the thickness reaches one to two millimeters.In POR patients, secondary follicles are located deeper than one millimeter from cortex surface, so do not make the tissues less than one millimeter in thickness. Cut one side of the cortex of each tissue into a strip measuring one by one by five millimeter for histological analysis to determine the presence of residual follicles. Put this strip into 1.5 milliliter tube with culture medium and keep at four degrees Celsius until fixing.Preparation of ovarian cortical cubes. After removal of medulla tissue, ovarian cortical is fragmented for hippo signaling disruption. At first, cut the cortex into one by one by 10 millimeter strips using scalpel.Then cut these strips into one millimeter cubed small cubes. In the medium, the tissue is slippery and difficult to cut. For easy cutting, cut the strips by pressing down on the scalpel rather than by pulling on it.After cutting, count the number of cubes and prepare the auto-grafting. To avoid the changes of osmotic pressure in the medium, add the medium in moderation before tissue auto-grafting. For ovarian auto-grafting, use of a cannula-shaped device allows for easier loading.This step contains two steps. Previously, ovarian fragments were transplanted one by one using forceps under laparoscopy. However, it took about three to four hours for surgery to be completed.In this procedure, we use a cannular-shaped device made of an inner syringe and an outer cylinder. This is a simple shape and lightweight. In addition, the tip of this device is of a round shape.There's no sharp points which avoids damage to the transplant site. Using this type of device allows bringing up to 20 to 30 cubes to implantation site at one time. This leads to efficient transplantation and reduction in the surgery time.Loading ovarian cortical fragments. Preparation of IVA cannula. Prepare the IVA cannula and wash this device in mHTF.Repeat aspirate and discharge medium several times. Fill the tip of a cannular by aspirating about 100 microliters of the medium. This is to avoid the cubes from drawing out during tissue fragment loading.Loading cortical cubes. Pick a cube by fine forceps and put it into the tip of the cannular. The number of auto-grafted cubes depends on the size of the transplant site.Repeat loading the cubes one by one until you reach the target number. After loading the cubes, pass the cannula to the surgeon carefully. If the grafting site is not ready, the part of the cannular that contains ovarian cubes is to be held by fingers to avoid a decrease in the temperature of cubes.We have already reported the clinical results of drug-free IVA. Please refer to the published paper about clinical results. This laboratory protocol required 30 to 50 minutes for one patient.The average time is for 10 to 20 minutes for ovarian cortex fragmentation, and 20 to 30 minutes for loading these fragments to IVA cannula. This depends on the tissue size, but almost all patients can be finished in this average time.Conclusions. Drug-free IVA is a new approach of infertility treatment for POR patients with diminishing ovarian reserve.These laboratory protocol leads to reduction of both time required for surgery and the loss of fragments during transplantation. The laboratory technique of drug-free IVA could become the basis of future application of ovarian tissue culture to obtain mature oocytes without grafting.

Research

JoVE Journal

Medicine

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