Heterotopic ovarian transplantation without vascular pedicle in syngeneic Lewis rats: six-month control of estradiol and follicle-stimulating hormone concentrations after intraperitoneal and subcutaneous implants.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the recovery, maintenance, and quality of ovarian function by comparing the success of autotransplantation in intraperitoneal (IP) and SC locations over a 6-month period in syngeneic Lewis rats.


METHODS
Experimental animal study.


METHODS
Unit of Experimental Research at the Barcelona University School of Medicine.


METHODS
Female syngeneic Lewis rats.


METHODS
The animals were randomized to one of three groups: group A, control group with ovariectomy (n = 15); group B, ovariectomy and IP autologous heterotopic transplant of ovarian tissue without vascular pedicle (n = 14); and group C, ovariectomy and SC autologous heterotopic transplant (n = 15).


METHODS
Serum levels of FSH and 17beta-E2 and vaginal cytology.


RESULTS
In groups B and C, E2 serum concentrations from day 7 and day 10 onward remained comparable to basal levels, and significantly higher than in group A, throughout the 6-month period. In group B from day 7 after surgery onward, and in group C from day 10 after surgery onward, FSH concentrations remained low (comparable to basal levels) throughout the follow-up period. Vaginal cytology of groups B and C showed trophic maturation between days 4 and 10 after ovariectomy and insertion of the ovarian tissue implant, whereas the control group remained atrophic. There were no statistically significant differences between IP and SC implants.


CONCLUSIONS
A heterotopic autotransplant of ovarian tissue without vascular pedicle in syngeneic Lewis rats is successful for > or =6 months.
Callejo
J
J
Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Hospital Universitari Sant Joan de Déu, University of Barcelona, Spain. jcallejo@medicina.ub.es
Jáuregui
M T
MT
Valls
C
C
Fernandez
M E
ME
Cabré
S
S
Lailla
J M
JM
D000818:Animals; D004958:Estradiol / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000097:blood*; D010052:Ovariectomy; D010053:Ovary / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000637:transplantation*; D010537:Peritoneum; D051381:Rats; D011917:Rats, Inbred Lew; D014183:Transplantation, Heterologous
D004958:Estradiol; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone