A closed vitrification system enables a murine ovarian follicle bank for high-throughput ovotoxicity screening, which discovers the endocrine disrupting effect of microcystins

Publication date: Available online 1 February 2020Source: Reproductive ToxicologyAuthor(s): Yingzheng Wang, Jingshan Xu, Jessica E. Stanley, Murong Xu, Bryan W. Brooks, Geoffrey I. Scott, Saurabh Chatterjee, Qiang Zhang, Mary B. Zelinski, Shuo XiaoAbstractIncreasing evidence reveals that a broad spectrum of environmental chemicals and pharmaceutical compounds cause female ovarian toxicity (ovotoxicity). The current gold standard of ovotoxicity testing largely relies on whole laboratory animals, but in vivo models are time consuming, costly, and present animal welfare concerns. We previously demonstrated that the 3D encapsulated in vitro follicle growth (eIVFG) is a robust in vitro model for ovotoxicity testing. However, the follicle preparation process is complex and highly dependent on technical skills. Here, we aimed to use vitrification method to cryopreserve murine immature follicles for a high-content eIVFG, chemical exposure, and ovotoxicity screening. Results indicated that a closed vitrification system combined with optimized vitrification protocols preserved mouse follicle viability and functionality and vitrified follicles exhibited comparable follicle and oocyte reproductive outcomes to freshly harvested follicles during eIVFG, including follicle survival and development, ovarian steroidogenesis, and oocyte maturation and ovulation. Moreover, vitrified follicles consistently responded to ovotoxic chemical, doxorubicin (DOX). We further used vitrified follicles to t...
Source: Reproductive Toxicology - Category: Toxicology Source Type: research