Does PRP affect oocyte and embryo development?

Project Description

Ovarian exhaustion describes the condition that occurs when the ovary runs out of follicles and is thus no longer able to ovulate oocytes. This results in infertility and is associated with menstrual disturbances as oestrogen levels fall dramatically. This condition affects all women, most commonly occurring at menopause and represents the end of the reproductive lifespan for female mammals. However, humans can experience ‘premature menopause’ which occurs when women stop ovulating before the age of 40. This can be idiopathic, or as a result of drug action during the treatment of other conditions – most notably many types of chemotherapy. Currently, menopause has no treatment and, in the case of age-related menopause, is considered a natural aspect of ageing.

A handful of case reports have described the use of PRP injections into the ovary in the human (Hsu et al 2020, Pantos et al 2019; Farimani et al 2019; Sfakianoudis et al 2019; Sillis et al 2018). In a non-randomised interventional study, Melo et al (2019) reported that injection of autologous PRP into the ovary of women with a low ovarian reserve improved a number of reproductive markers, including levels of FSH and AMH, and increased antral follicle count. Furthermore, Sfakianoudis and colleagues (2020) reported pilot data from four pilot studies, each of which indicated that markers of ovarian function are improved in women who are designated as ‘poor ovarian responders’.

This project will test the hypothesis that quantifiable markers of oocyte and embryo physiology are modified by exposure to PRP.

To do this, we will use a bovine model for IVF. We will perform experiments to investigate how oocyte development is affected by supplementation of PRP. We will use a range of endpoints all well established within the laboratory to determine how PRP affects oocyte physiology.