Synthetic hydrogel supports the function and regeneration of artificial ovarian tissue in mice

Artificial ovaries may help to restore ovarian function and fertility following cancer and autoimmune disease treatments, say US researchers. A team led by Ariella Shikanov at the University of Michigan set out to find an alternative to the transplantation of the patient’s own cryopreserved tissue, which can restore ovarian function but is severely limited by problems such as blood flow reduction and the potential re-introduction of malignant cells. Shikanov’s team developed an artificial ovary made from a polymer-based gel encapsulating immature ovarian functional units called primordial follicles. When implanted into sterile mice, the artificial ovaries resulted in regular ovarian cycles and normal hormone levels. The grafts also exhibited functioning blood vessels, evidence for appropriate tissue remodeling and revascularization. These findings demonstrate that hydrogel-based artificial ovaries offer an attractive platform for reproductive tissue engineering.