Chemotherapy can lead to the loss of fertility and premature ovarian failure in young women who suffer from malignant diseases. Freezing ovarian tissue by vitrification allows for the preservation of a large number of follicles prior to treatment, yet no established protocols have been optimized with respect to the vitrification solution. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the early stage of human ovarian tissue xenotransplantated onto the chick embryo chorioallantoic membrane after vitrification, and to determine the effect of different vitrification solutions on ovarian tissue quality-as defined by morphology and viability of follicles, neovascularization, cell proliferation, and apoptosis. Each vitrification protocol had a different impact on ovarian tissue at the early transplantation stage; one process using the lowest concentrations of ethylene glycol and dimethylsulfoxide, plus sucrose, demonstrated a moderate advantage compared to the other protocols. We also demonstrated that the chorioallantoic membrane model can be a useful alternative for short-term xenotransplantation studies of angiogenesis into human ovarian cortical tissue.

Intravenous leiomyomatosis is a rare benign disease. We here in present the case of a 39-year-old woman with a history of hysterectomy who presented with intermittent abdominal pain, palpitations and tightness of the chest. Physical examination revealed the presence of a pelvic mass of regular shape. Gynecological ultrasonography, computed tomography scans and three-dimensional (3D) cardiac ultrasonography were used to evaluate the imaging characteristics of the mass and reach a final diagnosis. The mass appeared to extend to the iliac veins, renal veins and inferior vena cava on imaging examination. The mass was successfully excised under non-extracorporeal circulation in one stage. Pathological examination of tumor samples indicated intravenous leiomyomatosis. After the operation, the symptoms were dissipated and no abnormal echo was observed in the inferior vena cava or the right atrium on 3D-cardiac ultrasonography. The patient is currently followed up without signs of recurrence. The aim of the present study was to describe in detail the diagnostic procedure and treatment in order to improve our current understanding of this disease.

BackgroundCryopreservation of ovarian tissue is a promising method for preserving fertility. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) is an evaluation system for cryo-injury during the cooling and warming process which is very laborious and needs to be optimized.ObjectiveIn this study, we evaluated that serum 17β-oestradiol (E2) may be used as an indicator of vitrified ovarian tissue.MethodsImmunodeficient nude mice were used as hosts for xenografting of vitrified-warmed human ovarian tissues. A total of 54 mice were divided into two group: vitrified ovarian xenotransplant (VOX) group (n ​= ​45) and non-transplant control group (n ​= ​9). The transplanted mice were grouped into vitrified/warmed grafted-4 weeks (VOX-4w, n ​= ​15), vitrified/warmed grafted-6weeks (VOX-6w n ​= ​15) and vitrified/warmed grafted-12 weeks (VOX-12w n ​= ​15) according to the time after transplantation.The viable and functional recovery of grafted ovarian tissue was assessed by light microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and hormone (E2) assays.ResultsSerum E2 concentration was significantly higher in VOX-6w (group (21.07 ​pg/ml) than that of VOX-12w group (15.59 ​pg/ml). VOX-12w group showed a lower value (12.61 ​pg/ml) for E2 concentration. The trend for E2 concentration was consistent with the morphological identification of the grafts.ConclusionIn vivo serum hormone E2 released by cortical biopsies can be used as a functional marker for xenotransplanted vitrified-warmed human ovarian tissue reserve.