Dimethyl sulfoxide maintains structure and function of cryopreserved equine endometrial explants.

The research article discusses a study aimed at investigating the survival rate of equine (horse) endometrial tissue when cryopreserved, in order to make viable, frozen-thawed endometrial tissues available for detailed studies revolving around the endometrium.

Study Objectives

• The study was primarily focused on achieving two main objectives. The first was to determine the effect of varying concentrations of a cryoprotectant, dimethyl sulfoxide (MeSO), on the survival rate, structural integrity and gene expression of cryopreserved horse endometrial tissues before and after a five-day explant culture in vitro (essentially, outside of a living organism).
• The second objective was to examine the effects of low (1000 mg/L dextrose) versus high (4500 mg/L dextrose) glucose medium during the in vitro culture process.

Research Findings

• Upon conclusion of the study, it was found that both 10% and 20% concentrations of MeSO managed to maintain viability post-cryopreservation and in vitro culture. Gene expression too remained constant following cryopreservation with both 10% and 20% MeSO concentrations.
• The researchers however noted that tissue structural integrity was somewhat lower compared to fresh controls. Yet, they found no significant difference in structural integrity, cell viability, or gene expression when different concentrations of glucose medium were used during in vitro culture.
• Although the expression of E-cadherin and Ki67 genes stayed constant among the fresh, 10% MeSO, and 20% MeSO treatments before and after tissue culture, the expression of the estrogen receptor-α and progesterone receptor genes reduced in all groups studied after the explant culture.

Conclusion and Implications

• The research marks the first successful cryopreservation of horse endometrial explants and has broader implications for studies into physiological and disease processes that affect endometrial tissue.
• The ability to cryopreserve endometrial tissue could potentially facilitate more detailed and comprehensive studies, thus promoting understanding, early detection and improvement in the management of endometrial diseases.