They established that bigger pre-antral follicles grew rapidly and formed antral cavities but smaller follicles died rather than grew, that dimethyl sulphoxide or propylene glycol were better protectives than propylene glycol and that the optimum thawing temperature was 27 degrees C.
Dr Newton said: "The significance of these findings for the future of in-vitro human follicle culture is unclear. Nevertheless, since the number of patients having ovarian tissue stored is increasing it may be prudent at this early stage to optimise freezing protocols. This would ensure that if in-vitro growth of human follicles becomes a possibility, the success rate will not be jeopardised by poor initial freezing techniques."
*** In-vitro growth of murine pre-antral follicles after isolation from cyropreserved ovarian tissue. Human Reproduction. Vol 16. No 3. pp 423-429
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Contact: Margaret Willson
m.willson@mwcommunications.org.uk
44-0-1536-772181
European Society for Human Reproduction and Embryology
26-Feb-2001