Molecular Human Reproduction, Vol. 8, No. 3, 228-236,
March 2002
© 2002 European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology
Ovary and oogenesis |
Cell death and its suppression in human ovarian tissue culture
1 Programme for Developmental and Reproductive Biology, Biomedicum Helsinki, and Hospital for Children and Adolescents, University of Helsinki, FIN-00290, 2 Infertility Clinic, The Family Federation of Finland, Kalevankatu 16, FIN-00100 and 3 The Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Helsinki University Central Hospital, FIN-00290, Helsinki, Finland
In women with premature ovarian failure, fertility may be preserved by ovarian tissue culture in vitro. However, techniques for tissue culture and follicle maturation have remained suboptimal. Our aim was to characterize ovarian tissue degeneration in cultures and to establish a model for cell death research in cultured ovarian tissue. Precise knowledge on the process resulting in cell death in cultured ovarian tissue will ultimately facilitate work aimed at improving long-term culture conditions. Ovarian tissue apoptosis was studied in a serum-free culture model in which nuclear DNA fragmentation was shown to occur within 24 h of the start of the culture. Activation of caspase-3 was detected in some stromal cells and a few oocytes. Since not all of the tissue exhibited signs of apoptosis and since DNA fragmentation increased over time, the tissue probably gradually dies by apoptosis. The antioxidant N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC; 25, 50 and 100 mmol/l) was found to inhibit this apoptosis. Thus, apoptosis appears to play a critical role in the degeneration of human ovarian cortical tissue cultures, and this cell death can be suppressed by NAC. The present tissue culture model can be used for identifying components capable of inhibiting cell death in vitro.
apoptosis/in-vitro culture/N-acetyl-L-cysteine/ovary
4 To whom correspondence should be addressed at: Hospital for Children and Adolescents, University of Helsinki, P.O.Box 281,FIN-00029 Helsinki, Finland. E-mail: leo.dunkel{at}hus.fi
CiteULike 
Connotea 
Del.icio.us What's this?
This article has been cited by other articles:
|
|
 |
|
  J C Sadeu, T Adriaenssens, and J Smitz Expression of growth differentiation factor 9, bone morphogenetic protein 15, and anti-Mullerian hormone in cultured mouse primary follicles Reproduction, August 1, 2008; 136(2): 195 - 203. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
A M Lobascio, F G Klinger, M L Scaldaferri, D Farini, and M De Felici Analysis of programmed cell death in mouse fetal oocytes Reproduction, August 1, 2007; 134(2): 241 - 252. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 R. K. Gupta, K. P. Miller, J. K. Babus, and J. A. Flaws Methoxychlor Inhibits Growth and Induces Atresia of Antral Follicles through an Oxidative Stress Pathway Toxicol. Sci., October 1, 2006; 93(2): 382 - 389. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 J. Greenaway, K. Connor, H. G. Pedersen, B. L. Coomber, J. LaMarre, and J. Petrik Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor and Its Receptor, Flk-1/KDR, Are Cytoprotective in the Extravascular Compartment of the Ovarian Follicle Endocrinology, June 1, 2004; 145(6): 2896 - 2905. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|