The analysis of the primordial follicle growth using the artificial ovary.

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 21K18044
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Basic Section 90110:Biomedical engineering-related
• Research Institution: St. Marianna University School of Medicine
• Principal Investigator: Iwahata Hideyuki 聖マリアンナ医科大学, 医学部, 講師 (70770923)
• Project Period (FY): 2021-04-01 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: 人工卵巣 / 妊孕性温存 / 卵巣組織移植 / 微小残存病変

Outline of Final Research Achievements

In this study, we examined whether an artificial ovarian device can induce the development of isolated follicles and the survival and maturation of oocytes. Using an artificial ovarian device made from type IV collagen, we confirmed the survival and development of follicles in vitro and in vivo, as well as the induction of apoptosis and angiogenesis around the follicles, using time-lapse and immunohistological examinations of the hormone levels in the follicle culture medium, and successfully obtained matured oocytes. In the future, it will be necessary to confirm the function of mature oocytes obtained from artificial ovaries.

Free Research Field

がん・生殖医療

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

月経発来前の小児女性がん患者にとって唯一の妊孕性温存療法である卵巣組織凍結・移植は“研究段階の技術”ではあるが、本邦においても実施件数が増加傾向にある。その最大の懸念は、卵巣組織内に存在する腫瘍細胞が移植時に再移入する可能性であるが、そのリスクに対して今回の人工卵巣のような新規技術の開発が重要であり、今回の研究結果は安全かつ効率的な人工卵巣の開発と臨床応用への第一歩となると考えられる。