Obstet Gynecol Sci.  2022 Jul;65(4):376-381. 10.5468/ogs.22012.

A modified hydrostatic microfluidic pumpless device for in vitro murine ovarian tissue culture as research model for fertility preservation

• Thuwanut P
• Pimpin A
• Thatsanabunjong F
• Srisuwatanasagul S
• Sereepapong W
• Sirayapiwat P

• KMID: 2531846
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5468/ogs.22012

Abstract

This study aimed to compare the efficacies of conventional and non-conventional (modified hydrostatic microfluidic pumpless device, MHPD) systems on ovarian tissue culture and in vitro follicle growth using a mouse model. A total of 56 ovarian cortical tissues retrieved from seven wild-type mice were divided into three groups: 1) fresh control, 2) conventional culture system (control), and 3) non-conventional system with MHPD. Ovarian tissues were cultured for 96 hours and evaluated for follicle morphology, developmental stage, intact follicle density, and relative gene expression levels (proliferating cell nuclear antigen, insulin like growth factor 1, BAX, and Bcl-2). Our major data demonstrated that the mean percentage of primary follicle development was increased by the MHPD (P<0.05). In addition, this device could maintain and support follicle development better than the conventional culture systems. However, the overall outcomes were not significantly improved by our first-design prototype. Consequently, nextgeneration platforms should be developed as alternative medical tools for fertility preservation research.

Keyword

Ovarian follicle; technique; Crofluidics; Fertility preservation

Figure

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  Fig. 1 (A) Fabrication of a modified hydrostatic microfluidic pumpless device (MHPD) using (a) design based on a 3D-printing aluminum mold, (b) casting of polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS), (c) glass bounding, and (d) insertion of inlet and outlet tubes; (e) demonstration of aluminum mold and MHPD after fabrication. (B) Schematic illustration of a MHPD for culture media-flow rate calculation with different filter lengths and reservoir tank initial heights.

Reference

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