Improving ovarian tissue transplantation using adipose tissue-derived stem cells

Ovarian tissue cryopreservation and further transplantation has proved its effectiveness in restoring fertility after cancer, with over 200 live births worldwide to date. However, it is limited by massive ischemic damage that occurs shortly after transplantation, causing a significant decline in the ovarian reserve. This project aimed to develop a novel strategy using adipose tissue-derived stem cells (ASCs) for ovarian tissue transplantation, after our preliminary results revealed their impact on hypoxia and revascularization. ASCs are able to protect the ovarian reserve from hypoxic damage, thereby reducing follicle loss. Moreover, their secretome, rich in growth factors, is able to both enhance graft revascularization and reperfusion, and mitigate the primordial follicle burn-out due to abnormal activation soon after transplantation. The present work proved the effecicacy of ASC use in ovarian tissue transplantation, which is now one step closer to clinical application.