Immobilization of ovarian follicles for alternative hormonal replacement therapies.

PAOLO N. CATALANO; GISELA S. ALVAREZ; LUIS E. DIAZ; MARTÍN F. DESIMONE; VICTORIA LUX-LANTOS

Puerto Madryn, Argentina

Congreso; XLVI Reunión Anual de la Sociedad Argentina de Investigación en Bioquímica y Biología Molecular.; 2010

Sociedad Argentina de Investigación en Bioquímica y Biología Molecular

Cell immobilization in sol-gel matrices is a useful tool for the design of bioreactors, avoiding the risk of immune rejection. Hormone replacement therapy [estradiol (E) and progesterone (P)] is used to treat menopausal symptoms, although controversial due to risk of  tumor emergence. The aim was to evaluate the viability and functionality of new systems of hormonal delivery. Preovulatory follicles from prepubertal rats primed with 25 U of PMSG (SC) were encapsulated using two sol-gel precursors: TEOS and THEOS and cultured for 1, 3, 6 and 9 days. Cell viability was determined by MTT and secretion of E and P (relative to active cells) by RIA. Immunohistochemistry for P450c17 and aromatase was used to reveal cell structure conservation. Follicles encapsulated in TEOS (FTEOS) and THEOS (FTHEOS) were viable at all days tested, although unencapsulated follicles (UEF) showed higher MTT values (p<0.05). P from FTHEOS was higher than from UEF at day 1 (p<0.001). E from FTEOS were higher than from UEF at days 1, 3, 6 and 9 (p<0.01). FTHEOS only showed differences in E from UEF at days 1 and 3 (p<0.01). Positive P450c17 and aromatase staining of UEF, FTEOS and FTHEOS demonstrated conserved cell stucture The sol-gel matrices tested, especially TEOS, may be eligible for bioencapsulation of ovarian follicles with preserved cell viability and function, allowing a more controlled hormonal delivery.