This work is the first to demonstrate well-defined 3D printed scaffolds as an artificial environment for supporting follicle health and growth. We leveraged the advantages of 3D printing to begin to understand the important effects of scaffold geometry on the behavior of follicles in vitro. Future studies will investigate mechanisms related to this geometry-dependent observation. Long-term goals include further optimizing scaffold architecture, biomaterial, and cell organization towards developing a functional and clinically translatable artificial ovary. Identifying important 3D printed scaffold design parameters and impact on cell behavior is not only needed in developing a fully functioning artificial ovary, but can also provide significant insight for 3D printing other tissues and organs.
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