New Hyaluronan-Based Biomatrix for 3D Follicle Culture Yields Functionally Competent Oocytes
July 2022
in “
Research Square (Research Square)
”
hyaluronan tyramine-linked hyaluronan hydrogel follicle encapsulation in vitro follicle maturation pre-antral follicles antrums hCG trigger oocyte-cumulus complexes GVBD MII fertilization rate blastulation rate IVM oocytes metaphase II oocytes blastocyst stage HA human chorionic gonadotropin germinal vesicle breakdown in vitro maturation mature oocytes
TLDR A new gel helps grow mature eggs in a lab that can be fertilized and develop further.
The study used a novel tyramine-linked hyaluronan (HA) hydrogel for follicle encapsulation and in vitro follicle maturation. A total of 402 pre-antral follicles were embedded in the HA gel, with antrums observed in 55% of follicles by day 8. Post-hCG trigger, 314 oocyte-cumulus complexes ovulated from the cultured follicles and 84% underwent GVBD. The maturation rate to MII was 72.6%, the fertilization rate was 82.5%, and the subsequent blastulation rate with IVM oocytes was 46.3%. The study concluded that tyramine-linked hyaluronan gel is an effective biomaterial for 3-D culture of ovarian follicles, capable of supporting the development of mature competent metaphase II oocytes. These oocytes are functionally competent, capable of being fertilized and developing to the blastocyst stage.
