Follicular development in transplanted fetal and neonatal mouse ovaries is influenced by the gonadal status of the adult recipient.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the pattern of follicular development in transplanted fetal and neonatal mouse ovaries in the presence or absence of the recipient's own ovaries.


METHODS
Controlled experiment.


METHODS
Academic research laboratory, Department of Physiology, Monash University, Clayton, Australia.


METHODS
Mouse ovaries from 16-day-old fetuses, 3-day-old neonates, and 10-day-old neonates were transplanted under the kidney capsule of adult female mice, which either retained their own ovaries in situ or were bilaterally ovariectomized.


METHODS
Histologic analysis.


RESULTS
By 4 weeks after transplantation, fetal and neonatal ovaries transplanted to ovariectomized recipients displayed a pattern of follicular development similar to that observed in in situ adult mouse ovaries. In contrast, follicular development did not progress beyond the early antral stage in fetal and 3-day-old ovaries transplanted to recipients that retained their in situ ovaries. However, 10-day-old ovaries transplanted to recipients that retained their in situ ovaries displayed full follicular development and corpora lutea formation by 8 weeks after transplantation.


CONCLUSIONS
Follicular development in transplanted immature ovarian tissue is influenced by the age of the donor ovary and gonadal status of the recipient. (Fertil Steril(R) 2000;74:000-00. Copyright2000 by American Society for Reproductive Medicine.)
Cox
S
S
Department of Physiology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia. shae.cox@med.monash.edu.au
Shaw
J
J
Jenkin
G
G
D000367:Age Factors; D000818:Animals; D005260:Female; D006066:Gonads; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D006080:Ovarian Follicle / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000254:growth & development*; D010052:Ovariectomy; D010053:Ovary / Q000196:embryology / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000637:transplantation*