Current biomaterials-based methods for in vitro ovarian follicle culture enable individual follicles or follicle classes to survive and carry out basic functions of the ovary, including hormone and release of mature oocytes upon gonadotropin stimulation. However, these current strategies do not support the survival and maturation of isolated primordial and...
The actions of luteinizing hormone (LH) to induce ovulation and luteinization of preovulatory follicles are mediated principally by activation of cAMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA) in granulosa cells. PKA activity is targeted to specific cellular locations by A-kinase anchoring proteins (AKAPs). I previously showed that follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) induces expression of...
Improving cancer treatments are saving the lives of many young women, however these treatments often lead to premature infertility. The in vitro development of ovarian follicles would provide reproductive options to these women by supporting immature follicle growth following ovarian tissue cryobanking. In addition, the system provides a platform to...