Platelet-rich plasma promotes the development of isolated human primordial and primary follicles to the preantral stage

Abstract

This study aimed to assess the effects of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) on growth and survival of isolated early human follicles in a three-dimensional culture system. After fresh and vitrified-warmed ovarian tissue was digested, isolated early preantral follicles and ovarian cells were separately encapsulated in 1% alginate (w/v). The encapsulated follicles and ovarian cells were cultured together in a medium supplemented with foetal bovine serum (FBS), PRP, PRP + FBS, or human serum albumin (HSA) for 10 days. Growth and survival of the follicles were assessed by measurement of diameter and staining with trypan blue. Follicular integrity was assessed by histological analysis. After culturing, all follicles increased in size, but growth rate was greater in follicles isolated from fresh samples than those from vitrified-warmed ones (P < 0.001). Similarly, follicular viability of fresh samples after culturing was higher than that of vitrified-warmed ones. The growth and survival rates of follicles from both fresh and vitrified groups cultured in PRP supplemented media were significantly higher than those of other groups (growth P < 0.001 and survival P < 0.05, in both groups). In conclusion, media supplementation with PRP can better support viability and growth of isolated human early preantral follicles in vitro.

Keywords: 3D culture; Human primordial follicle; Ovarian cortical tissue; Platelet-rich plasma; Vitrification.