Recently, scientists at Northwestern University used a 3D printer to create artificial ovaries and transplanted them into mice from which the original ovaries had been removed. The mice later became pregnant.
Researchers hope to use this technology to develop ovarian bioprostheses and transplant them into women to restore fertility. Statistics show that these people have an increased risk of infertility when they grow up, so the technology may develop cancer in childhood, ultimately benefiting survivors. Understood It is estimated that 1 in 250 adults is a childhood cancer survivor.
"One of the biggest problems faced by cancer patients is that treatment affects fertility and hormonal health." The lead author of the study, Monica M. LaRonda, a postdoctoral researcher at Northwestern University's Feinberg School of Medicine, said: Develop recovery through ovarian bioremediation implants A new approach to quality of life. Mother cell). This type of biological scaffold is supported by gelatin, which is a biological material derived from animal collagen. Scientists used biological principles when manufacturing the scaffold. The stent must be rigid enough to facilitate the operation during the operation and provide enough space to support the growth of oocytes, angiogenesis and ovulation. When using human cell cultures, researchers have determined that the best scaffold design requires cross-over studies to fix cells in multiple locations. The seed hair follicles on the stent can form a bioprosthesis. The so-called follicles are spherical tissues with oocytes in the middle and hormone-producing cells around them. To test the implants, the researchers removed the ovaries from the experimental mice and replaced them with ovarian bioprostheses. After that, the mouse can ovulate, give birth to healthy offspring, and take care of the offspring. In addition, the mice implanted with the ovarian bioprosthesis also returned to the estrus or female hormone cycle. For this reason, researchers have proposed a theory that similar implants can help women's ovarian function to maintain hormonal circulation through fertility or treatment of diseases. These women often experience reduced production of reproductive hormones, which can lead to puberty problems and subsequent bone and blood vessel health problems. Laronda said: "We use a scalable 3D printing method, using materials already used in the human body." Female fertility and hormonal function issues. "
Scientists say that the implanted stent structure supports the growth of blood vessels in mice and does not use any substances to stimulate the process. "Researchers have used manufacturing techniques inspired by human biology to develop scaffolds that can interact with human tissue. Laronda said that this technology may play a role in more complex soft tissue replacements in the future.