Novel in vitro model to grow and culture the ovaries outside the body

Project Overview

As cancer chemotherapy treatments become more sophisticated, there has been an associated increase in patient survival time. As a result, the severity of long-term side effects of chemotherapy has become apparent. One of these side effects is primary ovarian insufficiency (POI), which is seen in 40% of reproductive age breast cancer survivors. Specifically, studies have shown that doxorubicin (DXR) chemotherapy is associated with ovarian insult. The exact model of this insult has not been determined. To investigate, study, and ultimately solve this problem, a novel device for extensive study of mature ovaries in vitro is needed, as no systems currently exist. Through a careful design process and analysis, a bioreactor for ovarian culture that exhibits intravenous delivery of media to the ovary was fabricated. This device and method provides nutrients to the ovary in a physiologically accurate manner, while providing a controlled environment. Testing of the proposed design has yielded a simplified and successful protocol for ovarian artery isolation and cannulation as well as a proven concept of method. Flowing fluid through the vasculature successfully saturated the ovary and excess fluid was observed exiting the ovary via diffusion. Future testing of the effectiveness of the media delivery system is needed in order to optimize a general protocol for extended ovary culture. Ultimately, our device will aid in determining the mechanism of ovarian insult, knowledge that will help reduce or even prevent primary ovarian insufficiency in surviving cancer patients.