The effects of ovarian encapsulation with alginate hydrogel on morphology and follicular count of vitrified mouse ovary

Ovarian tissue cryopreservation is a way of preserving fertility in women with cancer and premature ovarian failure. Maintenance of follicular reserve is mandatory after ovary cryopreservation. This study was performed to determine the effect of alginate hydrogel as a capsule on morphology and follicular count of vitrified mouse ovary.

In this experimental study, mature mice ovaries were divided into four groups: non-vitrified ovary, vitrified ovary, ovaries that have been encapsulated with alginate hydrogel with a concentration of 0.5 and 1% and then were vitrified (Experimental1 and Experimental2, respectively). The vitrification was performed with ethylene glycol and dimethyl sulfoxide solutions. Morphological study was done using hematoxylin and eosin staining. Average number of intact and atretic follicles was evaluated in each group. Data were compared by one-way ANOVA and post hoc test. Values of P<0.05 were considered statistically significant.

Follicular counting results showed that the mean of total follicles in all groups was not significantly different. The highest and lowest number of intact follicles were observed in non-vitrified and experimental group 1, respectively. The observed decrease in the average number of intact follicles in experimental groups was not significant as compared with the vitrified group, but it was significant in comparison with the non-vitrified group (P<0.05). The average number of atretic follicles in the vitrified and experimental groups significantly increased than the non-vitrified group (P<0.05).

Encapsulation of ovaries at concentration of 0.5 and 1% of alginate hydrogel could not improve the morphology and preserve intact follicles of vitrified ovaries any better.