Jul 27, 2023
Human ovarian tissue procurement and processing for research
- hannah.anvari1,
- asma.giornazi1,
- shriya.shah1,
- maryellen.pavone1,
- francesca.e.duncan duncan1
- 1Northwestern Medicine OBGYN, Northwestern University
Protocol Citation: hannah.anvari, asma.giornazi, shriya.shah, maryellen.pavone, francesca.e.duncan duncan 2023. Human ovarian tissue procurement and processing for research. protocols.io https://dx.doi.org/10.17504/protocols.io.e6nvwdk29lmk/v1
License: This is an open access protocol distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited
Protocol status: Working
We use this protocol and it's working
Created: July 27, 2023
Last Modified: July 27, 2023
Protocol Integer ID: 85586
Keywords: human, ovary, pathology
Funders Acknowledgement:
SenNet
Grant ID: U54AG075932
Abstract
Purpose: This protocol is intended for use in the collection and storage of human ovarian tissue n a research setting. The protocol details the collection, processing, and long-term storage of human ovarian tissue as formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) samples or frozen samples.
Guidelines
Researchers working with human specimens will adhere to all safety and training protocols required by the institution (Northwestern Medicine/Northwestern University) including but not limited to:
- Biosafety Certification
- Bloodborne Pathogens Certification
- Working with Formaldehyde Certification
- Shipping with dry ice Certification
- Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative (CITI program) certification
Materials
- ORIGIO Handling IVF Medium (ORIGIO, #83100060)
- Disposable Scalpel, Sterile, No. 10 and No. 22 (Fisher Scientific, 12-460-456 and 12-460-456)
- 15 mL conical tubes (Fisher Scientific, 2610L35) for tissue collection.
- Gibco™ DPBS, calcium, magnesium (Fisher Scientific, 14-190-250)
- 60 mm Dish, Non-Treated, Corning™ Falcon™ Bacteriological Petri Dishes with Lid (Fisher Scientific 08-772-12 or equivalents) for processing
- Invitrogen™ RNase-free Microfuge Tubes (ThermoFisher Scientific, AM12400)
Safety warnings
Researchers will wear personal protective equipment when working with human specimens, including gloves, masks, and lab coats.
Ethics statement
This protocol takes place under approved IRB protocol through Northwestern University (NU12G09) for collection of human ovarian tissue through Northwestern Medicine.
Collection of ovarian tissue for research (in pathology)
Collection of ovarian tissue for research (in pathology)
Ovaries are evaluated grossly per standard protocol in Northwestern Medicine Pathology. Ovaries are measured, external surface examined and evaluated for neoplasia.
Section ovaries in 3-5 mm sections perpendicular to the long axis to evaluate cut surface (Fig. 1).
Fig. 1. Methodology for whole ovary tissue processing by pathology before ovarian tissue is allocated for researchers.
If no significant gross pathology is found, provide any ovary sections to the U54 research coordinator that are not required for clinical diagnosis.
If gross lesions are found, provide non-lesioned tissue, if possible, based on individual gross assessment. The sign-out pathologist or study pathologist should be consulted in case of questions on what is appropriate to submit or retain.
Human ovarian tissue processing (in lab)
Human ovarian tissue processing (in lab)
Ovarian tissue samples are collected from Northwestern Pathology department and placed on ice immediately following collection. Research coordinator will bring research specimens to the lab on ice (2-4 °C). Samples should be transported in blue, labeled biohazard cooler bag (Fig. 2A, B).
Fig.2. Ovarian tissue pieces are collected for research through the IRB-approved Reproductive Tissue Library at Northwestern Medicine.Ovarian cross sections3-5 mm in depth are brought to the lab for processing within 24 hours of surgery. All samples are transported in blue biohazard labeled cooler bag (A) and on ice (2-4 °C) (B). Tissue pieces are transported and processed in ORIGIO Handling medium (C). Cross sections are measured on arrival (D) and should include both cortex and medulla tissue (E). Sections are then bisected laterally to obtain two halves (F). One half is further divided into 20-30 mg pieces (G) and the other is sectioned into larger wedges to be fixed for histological analysis (H). All 20-30 mg pieces to be frozen are weighed (I) and then snap frozen over dry ice (J) for a minimum of 15 minutes before moving to storage at -80°C.
Tissue should be kept at 2-4°C throughout all processing steps and should be processed within 24 hours of procurement. Tissue is kept in ORIGIO Handling media throughout procurement and processing (Fig. 2C). Once in the lab, tissue is processed at room temperature (RT).
On arrival, tissue should be measured for length, width, and thickness (Fig. 2D). Also note the approximate anatomy of cortex (black) to medulla (white) (Fig. 2E). The cortex should be on the outermost edge surrounding the entire tissue piece and will have a glossy, somewhat translucent appearance. The medulla should be the innermost portion if the ovarian tissue slice is lying flat and will likely contain fibrotic looking, white tissue especially in postmenopausal ovaries. Prepare a 60 mm dish with 3-5 mL ORIGIO Handling media. The tissue should be submerged, but not floating in media.
Ovarian tissue is bisected laterally using a No. 10 or No. 22 scalpel, depending on the size and thickness of tissue (if thicker or longer, use a No. 22 so that cuts are more even), to give two halves of ovarian tissue (Fig. 2F).
One half should be divided into 20-30mg pieces that include both cortex and medulla tissue (Fig. 2G).
Pieces to be frozen are weighed (Fig. 3I), washed in PBS solution, and then placed in an individual 1.5 mL micro centrifuge tube with minimal PBS remaining on the tissue. Tubes can then be placed on dry ice for 15 min before being moved to -80°C freezer for long-term storage (Fig. 3J).
Shipping fixed (FFPE) human ovarian tissue
Shipping fixed (FFPE) human ovarian tissue
Fig. 3. Shipment of fixed U54 specimens (tissue, FFPE). All ovarian tissue blocks are stored at RT. Carefully stack blocks together and secure in a bag (A) and then wrap with protective material (bubble wrap, paper, etc.). Depending on expected weather, can also line the outside of box with frozen ice packs (B).
All fixed tissue samples are in embedded blocks that can be shipped at RT or with ice packs (warmer months).
Multiple blocks can be stacked for safe shipment (Fig. 3A) and then placed a box surrounded by padding for transport (Fig. 3B).
Shipping frozen human ovarian tissue
Shipping frozen human ovarian tissue
All frozen samples should rest for at least 24 hours after initial processing/freezing to ensure stability during shipment.
Fig. 4. Shipment of frozen U54 specimens(tissue, follicular fluid, biofluids). Samples should be kept on dry ice throughout preparation for shipment after removal from the -80°C freezer (A). All tubes can be shipped in a secondary 50 mL conical tube container which should be lined with a Kimwipe for absorbency (B, C). Individual 50 mL conical tubes can be wrapped in parafilm (D). Samples can then be placed in a sealable bag (E) and additional Kimwipes to absorb the remainder of fluid in the event of a spill can be placed surrounding the individual 50 mL tubes (F).
Samples are removed from -80°C storage into a dry ice holding bucket while being sorted into shipping boxes (Fig. 4A).
All frozen vials should be added to a larger secondary 50 mL conical tube lined with a Kimwipe (Fig. 4B-C). Secondary containers need to be wrapped with parafilm (Fig. 4D)
Once all samples are ready in secondary containers, they should be placed in a sealable bag (Fig. 4E) with additional Kimwipes to absorb any fluid that could spill during transit (Fig. 4F).
The bag should be completely submerged in dry ice (over, under, surrounding the sides) for safe shipment. Lab members will fill out appropriate documentation to ship with dry ice.