P-52: Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor Promotes The Development of Human Ovarian Early Follicles during Growth In Vitro

Background Cryopreservation of ovarian cortex is increasingly used to preserve fertility before cancer therapy. Recently, studies show that Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) may be involved in oocyte maturation. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is member of neurotrophin family that has anti-apoptotic effects on nervous system. Recent researches show that it also plays key role in female reproductive system such as nuclear and cytoplasmic maturation and embryo development. Therefore, the present study was conducted to evaluate the effects of BDNF on morphology, viability and apoptosis of primordial follicles, when it was added to in vitro culture media. MaterialsAndMethods Cortical tissue strips from normal pregnant (n=8) women were vitrified. After two weeks, thawed cortical strip was divided to 3 groups as following: FSH, FSH + BDNF (100ng) and control (without FSH). Subsequently, cortical strip was cultured in a (α-MEM) medium for two weeks. Then ovarian fragments were analyzed for morphology (Hematoxylin and eosin, H & E), and incidence of apoptosis (TUNEL kit). Hormones (Estradiol, Anti mullerian hormone and progestron) concentration in culture medium and viability were evaluated using ELISA kit and Calcein-AM Ethidium homodimer-1 respectively. Results Our data indicates that the ratio of primary and secondary follicles to primordial significantly increased in BDNF+ FSH group compared with the other groups. Estradiol and progestron concentration were also significantly increased in BDNF+ FSH group compared with the other groups. Moreover, the percentage of apoptosis in BDNF+ FSH group was decreased significantly in comparison to the other groups. Viability was also significantly higher in BDNF+ FSH group compared to the other groups. Conclusion This data suggests that combination of BDNF and FSH have beneficial effects on human ovarian early follicles growth in vitro.