In a publication from Human Reproduction, Oncofertility Consortium researchers investigate how common patient-specific variables, such as age, weight, and stage in the menstrual cycle, may affect the culture of ovarian follicles. Authors, Hirshfeld-Cytron, Duncan, Xu, Jozefik, Shea, and Woodruff examined how in vitro follicle growth was impacted in mouse models with similar variables. In the paper, “Animal age, weight and estrus cycle stage impact the quality of in vitro grown follicles,” the authors found that follicles from mice with increased age and body weight resulted contained oocytes with spindle defects and reduced meiotic competence. As in vitro follicle growth is translated from the bench to bedside, such results should be incorporated while considering fertility preservation options for a diverse population of patients.
