Functional studies of subcutaneous ovarian transplants in non-human primates: steroidogenesis, endometrial development, ovulation, menstrual patterns and gamete morphology.
BACKGROUND
The study objective was to determine if ovarian function would be restored following fresh and cryopreserved extrapelvic autologous ovarian transplantation and if vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) administration would augment the success rate.


METHODS
Sixteen regularly cycling female cynomolgus monkeys underwent bilateral oophorectomy and were randomly assigned to one of three treatment groups: (i) sham transplant group (n = 5) underwent transplantation of pieces of adipose tissue; (ii) fresh autologous ovarian transplantation without VEGF administration (n = 6) and (iii) fresh autologous ovarian transplantation with 1 microg of VEGF (n = 5) administered at the transplantation site daily for 14 days after transplantation. The ovarian tissue from the sham transplanted group was cryopreserved. This material was later thawed and transplanted in four out of five of the sham operated group.


RESULTS
Five out of six (83%) of the primates in our transplantation group without VEGF had functioning ovarian transplants while two of five (40%) primates in our transplantation group with VEGF administration had functioning ovarian transplants. The cryopreserved group had two of four primates (50%) with functioning transplants. Ovarian stimulation yielded multiple follicles and one metaphase II oocyte from the fresh and one metaphase II oocyte from the cryopreserved group.


CONCLUSIONS
The success of ovarian transplantation in these non-human primates with menstrual cycles bodes well for the development of ovarian transplantation protocols for women at risk of ovarian failure.
Schnorr
John
J
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Howard and Georgeanna Jones Institute for Reproductive Medicine, Eastern Virginia Medical School, Norfolk, VA 23507, USA. jschnorr@sefertility.com
Oehninger
Sergio
S
Toner
James
J
Hsiu
Jimmy
J
Lanzendorf
Susan
S
Williams
Robert
R
Hodgen
Gary
G
D000818:Animals; D015925:Cryopreservation; D062109:Dermatologic Surgical Procedures; D004717:Endometrium / Q000254:growth & development*; D016228:Endothelial Growth Factors / Q000494:pharmacology; D004958:Estradiol / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D006065:Gonadotropins, Pituitary / Q000097:blood; D006728:Hormones / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D008222:Lymphokines / Q000494:pharmacology; D008252:Macaca fascicularis; D008597:Menstrual Cycle; D008677:Metaphase; D009865:Oocytes / Q000166:cytology; D010053:Ovary / Q000187:drug effects / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000637:transplantation*; D010060:Ovulation; D010062:Ovulation Induction; D011374:Progesterone / Q000097:blood; D016042:Transplantation, Heterotopic; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D042442:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors
D016228:Endothelial Growth Factors; D006065:Gonadotropins, Pituitary; D006728:Hormones; D008222:Lymphokines; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D042442:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors; D011374:Progesterone; D004958:Estradiol