P-693 Three-dimensional modeling of follicular microenvironment dynamics in the human adult ovary
Authors: Wei F , Cheng H , Fan X , Valle J  S D , Asseler J  D , Stolk T , Vugt W  V , Meeren L  E V D , Mello N  M V , Lopes S  M C D S 
Published: July 2024

Study question

How does the ovarian microenvironment, involving neural fibers, vascular networks, and immune cells, interplay with follicular dynamics in the human adult ovary?

Summary answer

Neural fibers growing into the ovarian cortex and vascular network expansion were associated with primordial follicle activation and growth. Macrophages associated with antral follicular atresia.

What is known already

The ovarian follicles, responsible for preserving and supplying oocytes, play a crucial role in fertility, with their fate influenced by the ovarian microenvironment. However, the three-dimensional (3D), irregular, and dynamic structural changes of the ovarian microenvironment are difficult to interpret using two-dimensional analysis. 3D-imaging technologies have been developed to reveal intricate structural and functional relationships particularly in rodents, but these approaches have not been widely adopted for human ovarian research.

Study design, size, duration

Our study aims to explore the follicular microenvironment dynamics in the human adult ovary. In this work, we optimized whole-mount immunofluorescence using TUBB3, PODXL, PECAM1, ACTA2 and CD68, and conducted 3D imaging on intact adult ovarian tissue, offering a visualization of the 3D structures and dynamic changes within ovarian follicles, neural fibers, vascular networks, and immune cells in human adult ovary at the single-cell level.

Participants/materials, setting, methods

The human ovarian samples were collected from donors (N = 5) who underwent oophorectomy after testosterone treatment. Part of the intact ovary, including cortex and medulla, was fixed and used for whole-mount immunofluorescence using markers for neural fibers (TUBB3), blood vessels (PODXL, PECAM1, ACTA2), and immune cells (CD68). Subsequently, an enhanced iDiSCO method was employed for tissue clearance. Finally, 3D images were acquired using a lightsheet microscope, followed by image analysis and 3D reconstruction using Imaris software.

Main results and the role of chance

Our results showed that TUBB3-labeled nerve fibers predominantly distributed in the ovarian cortex, with few presented in the medullary region. Notably, their presence surrounding secondary and antral follicles was limited. We observed a rich distribution of PODXL-labeled capillaries surrounding primordial and primary follicles in the cortical layer of the adult ovary. As follicles progressed to the secondary stage, PECAM1-labeled vasculature contributed to the construction of a vascular network enveloping the secondary follicles and connecting extensively to larger-caliber arteries containing (ACTA2+) smooth muscle cells. In antral follicles, large larger-caliber arteries were also detected, maintaining proximity to the theca cell layer. Interestingly, in cases of follicular atresia, vascular invasion within the follicular cavity was observed. Additionally, clusters of  CD68+ macrophages exhibited a scattered distribution around the follicles at various stages, with a significant accumulation in atretic small-antral follicles.

Limitations, reasons for caution

Our study was conducted on ovaries from a limited number of donors after gender-affirming surgery. Although we aimed to provide insights into the ovarian microenvironment, we were so far unable to obtain ovaries with large antral follicles, ovulatory follicles and the formation of the corpus luteum.

Wider implications of the findings

The views provided by 3D-image analysis of the human ovary will augment the current knowledge of the complex interactions between the follicles and the ovarian microenvironment. 3D ovarian mapping will also provide a roadmap for generating oocytes in vitro for fertility preservation and ovarian disease modelling.

Trial registration number

N/A.