A bioprosthetic ovary created using 3D printed microporous scaffolds restores ovarian function in sterilized mice

TLDR

Emerging additive manufacturing techniques enable investigation of the effects of pore geometry on cell behavior and function. The study tests how varying pore geometry in 3D‑printed microporous hydrogel scaffolds affects ovarian follicle survival. Scaffolds were printed at 30°, 60°, and 90° angles to create corners that surround follicles or open porosity, thereby modulating follicle–scaffold interaction. Increasing scaffold–follicle interaction limits follicle spreading and boosts survival, and follicle‑seeded scaffolds become vascularized, fully restore ovarian function, and support natural birth and healthy offspring, demonstrating that pore architecture is critical for functional tissue engineering.

Abstract

Abstract Emerging additive manufacturing techniques enable investigation of the effects of pore geometry on cell behavior and function. Here, we 3D print microporous hydrogel scaffolds to test how varying pore geometry, accomplished by manipulating the advancing angle between printed layers, affects the survival of ovarian follicles. 30° and 60° scaffolds provide corners that surround follicles on multiple sides while 90° scaffolds have an open porosity that limits follicle–scaffold interaction. As the amount of scaffold interaction increases, follicle spreading is limited and survival increases. Follicle-seeded scaffolds become highly vascularized and ovarian function is fully restored when implanted in surgically sterilized mice. Moreover, pups are born through natural mating and thrive through maternal lactation. These findings present an in vivo functional ovarian implant designed with 3D printing, and indicate that scaffold pore architecture is a critical variable in additively manufactured scaffold design for functional tissue engineering.