Heterotopic ovarian transplantation without vascular pedicle in syngeneic Lewis rats: long-term evaluation of effects on ovarian structure and function.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the long-term efficacy of intraperitoneal (IP) and subcutaneous (SC) ovarian autotransplantation in rats.


METHODS
Experimental animal study.


METHODS
Unit of Experimental Research, Barcelona University School of Medicine.


METHODS
Female syngeneic Lewis rats aged 14 weeks.


METHODS
Group A, control group undergoing ovariectomy (n = 15); group B, undergoing ovariectomy and IP autologous heterotopic transplant (n = 15); and group C, ovariectomized with SC autologous heterotopic transplant (n = 15). In groups B and C, five animals were killed and their ovaries removed for morphometric analysis at 30 days after transplantation; five additional animals were killed at 180 days, and the remaining five animals were killed at 360 days.


METHODS
Ovarian morphometric analysis and serial measurement of E(2) and FSH serum levels. RESULT(S); The mean number of antral follicles in the control group A was significantly higher than that observed in the ovarian grafts collected and examined 30 days after grafting in rats from groups B and C, but the mean granulosa cell area was significantly higher in both transplantation groups than in controls because of ovarian follicular hyperplasia. Histological examination of ovaries removed at 6 and 12 months after grafting in groups B and C showed increasing degrees of fibrosis, loss of primordial follicles, and the presence of epithelial cysts. In groups B and C, from day 30 after surgery onward, serum E(2) was significantly higher and FSH significantly lower, respectively, than in group A. E(2) and FSH patterns in groups B and C were similar throughout the study period.


CONCLUSIONS
Heterotopic ovarian transplantation without vascular pedicle in rats is characterized by follicular hyperplasia endocrinologically functional, followed by progressive loss of follicles in heterotopic ovarian autografts.
Callejo
Justo
J
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, Hospital Universitari Sant Joan de Déu, University of Barcelona, 08950-Esplugues, Barcelona, Spain. jcallejo@medicine.ub.es
Vilaseca
Susana
S
Ordi
Jaume
J
Cabré
Sergi
S
Lailla
José M
JM
Balasch
Juan
J
D000818:Animals; D004958:Estradiol / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000097:blood; D006651:Histocytochemistry; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D010052:Ovariectomy; D010053:Ovary / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology / Q000637:transplantation*; D011897:Random Allocation; D051381:Rats; D011917:Rats, Inbred Lew; D016042:Transplantation, Heterotopic
D004958:Estradiol; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone