P-803 Intra-ovarian injection of plasma rich in stem cell-secreted and platelet-enclosed factors to promote follicle rescue and reproductive outcomes in women with very low ovarian reserve
Authors: Molinaro P , Santamaría A , Ballester A , Álvarez J  C , Ruiz P , Pellicer N , Muñoz M , Herraiz S 
Published: July 2024

Study question

Could intraovarian injection of plasma rich in stem-cell and platelet growth factors optimize ovarian reserve and IVF outcomes in women with very low ovarian reserve?

Summary answer

Intraovarian injection of G-CSF mobilized plasma rich in grown factors improved follicle count since first follow-up and led to better fecundation, implantation and pregnancy’ rates.

What is known already

Autologous stem cell ovarian transplantation (ASCOT) of bone marrow derived stem cells optimized ovarian reserve and reproductive outcomes in poor responders (POR) and this effect seems to be due to the growth factors secreted by the stem cells, acting through paracrine pathways. Similarly, platelet-rich Plasma (PRP) has been also offered to promote ovarian reactivation in patients with impaired ovarian reserve by providing positive growth factors contained in platelets. Indeed, a technique that combines both the non-cellular components of ASCOT and PRP (ASCOT-1) has been proposed to optimize follicle rescue and IVF outcomes in women with very low reproductive prognosis.

Study design, size, duration

Retrospective observational study with 159 women (≤ 45 years) diagnosed with POR and primary ovarian insufficiency (POI) according to ESHRE criteria, who underwent the ASCOT-1 technique after refusing oocyte donation, between June 2021-October 2023 at IVIRMA Alicante, Spain (IRB approval 2310-FIVI-188-SH). The ASCOT-1 consisted in the intraovarian injection of plasma rich in both stem cell-secreted and platelet-enclosed factors obtained after granulocyte colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) mobilization and PRP obtention (Endoret Kit BTI, Biotechnology institute).

Participants/materials, setting, methods

Medical records of patients who underwent the ASCOT-1 as an ovarian reactivation treatment were examined. Follow up of AFC and AMH was carried out for a maximum of 4 menstrual cycles to evaluate follicular activation. Moreover, when follicle growth was detected, patients underwent a controlled ovarian stimulation (COS). IVF and reproductive outcomes were compared with previous COS cycles started in our clinics, when available. T-test was used where appropriate.

Main results and the role of chance

Overall 159 POR/POI women (age 38.7±4.2years, AMH0 0.22±0.41ng/ml; AFC0 1.4±1.9) underwent the ASCOT-1 technique. Mean volume of plasma injected was 6.8±0.8ml, distributed equally in both ovaries. First follow-up was done in 131 women showing statistically significant improvements in the AFC during the entire follow-up compared to the basal levels measured before the treatment (AFC1 3.3±3.4, p &lt; 0.001; AFC2 3.3±3.6, p &lt; 0.001; AFC3 2.9±2.6, p &lt; 0.001; AFC4 2.4±2.6, p = 0.07). After ASCOT-1, 98 COS were initiated in 48 women in our clinics, which were compared to their previous 66 cycles. Although age was significantly higher in their posterior cycles (38.0±2.9 vs40.0±3.6; p &lt; 0.001), after ASCOT-1 oocyte retrieval was reached in a greater amount of cases (75.5% vs87.5%, p=NS). ASCOT-1 showed a positive, but non statistically significant effect in the number of MII-oocytes (2.8±4.1 vs3.2±3.9, p=NS) and blastocysts obtained (1.8±2.8 vs2.4±3.1, p=NS), but relevant improvements were observed in quality related parameters such as oocyte maturation (61.5%, 95%IC 45.8-77.3, vs86.1%, 95I%IC 69.9-85.5; p 0.03), fertilization (62.6%, 95%CI 53.0-71.3, vs76.5%, 95%CI 70.0-82.0; p &lt; 0.001), implantation (25.0%, 95%CI 8.3-52.5 vs41.1%, 95%CI 19.4-66.5; p &lt; 0.001) and clinical pregnancy rate (25.0%, 95%CI 8.3-52.5 vs46.6%, 95%CI 22.2-72.5; p &lt; 0.001). Ultimately, 14 clinical pregnancies (7 after ET and 7 by natural conception) were obtained after ASCOT-1.

Limitations, reasons for caution

This retrospective study involves short periods of follow up and limited amount of IVF attempts. Thus, further prospective studies with increased sample size are required to validate our results, to establish the duration of the effects, and to identify which subgroups of patients could benefit the most from this treatment.

Wider implications of the findings

Growth factors contained in the G-CSF mobilized PRP could play a role in follicular development, providing a new tool to increase the reproductive potential of women with very low ovarian reserve where oocyte donation is the only practical option, allowing them to access to homologous IVF treatment.

Trial registration number

2310-FIVI-188-SH