Evaluation of amniotic hydrogel’s impact on the development of murine pre-antral follicles in mouse model

Abstract

Global average infertility rate is about 6– 12%, and in Vietnam at around 7.7%. As a result, there is a high demand for treatment, especially for female infertility. In vitro maturation (IVM) was evaluated and proven to be the most popular and promising at the moment. In long-term cultivation, the follicle was observed to extend, therefore, the usage of a supporting frame is quite necessary to maintain follicle’s natural sphere structure as well as completing the mature process. Amniotic membrane is an avascular membrane, composed of collagen, fibronectin, nidogen, proteoglycan, containing a big number of growth – factors with antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, low immunogenicity and viscoelasticity properties. Amniotic hydrogel owns structure formed with thin fibers to help preserve the main component as collagen, which can turn to gel form at 37 degree Celsius. With those properties, amniotic hydrogel showed high potential as a scaffold for the follicle. When amniotic hydrogel is used as a scaffold for cultivating of secondary follicle (100 – 130 µm), the size of oocyte and follicle increased after 12 days of culturing, along with the formation of antrum. The results demonstrated the possibility to use amniotic hydrogel as a scaffold for the development of the secondary follicle.