Ovarian function, tubal viability and pregnancy after tubo-ovarian transplantation in the rabbit.
A rabbit model was developed for microsurgical en-bloc vascularized tubo-ovarian allograft. Transplantation of tube and ovary from donors to tubo-oophorectomized recipients was technically successful in 50 rabbits. After surgery, animals were randomly allocated into two groups: animals in group A received cyclosporine for immunosuppression; animals in group B did not receive immunosuppressive therapy. In group A, 16 animals survived the transplant procedure and six animals became pregnant (38%). No pregnancies were obtained among animals in group B. In group A, plasma concentrations of ovarian and pituitary hormones were similar to those found in non-transplanted animals. Our results show firstly that tubo-ovarian transplantation is technically feasible, and secondly that cyclosporine improves not only tubal viability but also ovarian function after transplantation.
Carmona
F
F
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Hospital Clínic i Provincial-Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Barcelona, Spain.
Balasch
J
J
González-Merlo
J
J
D000818:Animals; D016572:Cyclosporine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005187:Fallopian Tubes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology / Q000637:transplantation*; D005260:Female; D010053:Ovary / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology / Q000637:transplantation*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011270:Pregnancy, Animal / Q000502:physiology*; D011817:Rabbits
D016572:Cyclosporine