Orthotopic microvascular reanastomosis of whole cryopreserved ovine ovaries resulting in pregnancy and live birth.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the feasibility of contralateral autotransplantation of cryopreserved whole ovaries with microanastomosis of the ovarian vascular pedicle.


METHODS
Animal study.


METHODS
Department of Biomedical Sciences, General Hospital of Vienna, Austria.


METHODS
Nine ewes, six month of age.


METHODS
Laparotomic unilateral oophorectomy was performed. Ovaries were frozen using a controlled-rate freezing system. After frozen storage, contralateral laparotomic oophorectomy was performed, and the thawed ovaries were returned to the contralateral orthotopic site with microsurgical vascular anastomosis.


METHODS
Histologic examination and serum follicle-stimulating hormone and progesterone levels.


RESULTS
Four sheep showed postoperative luteal function. One sheep conceived after spontaneous intercourse and delivered a healthy lamb 545 days after transplantation. Histologic examination of the ovaries 18-19 months after transplantation showed that the structural integrity of the ovarian stroma had largely been retained in six out of nine animals. Follicular survival rate in the grafted ovaries was 1.7%-7.6%.


CONCLUSIONS
Microvascular anastomosis of whole ovaries and orthotopic transplantation after cryopreservation is technically feasible and a promising procedure in ovarian tissue banking.
Imhof
Martin
M
Department of Gynecological Endocrinology, University Hospital of Vienna, Vienna, Austria. martin.imhof@meduniwien.ac.at
Bergmeister
Helga
H
Lipovac
Markus
M
Rudas
Margaretha
M
Hofstetter
Gerda
G
Huber
Johannes
J
D000714:Anastomosis, Surgical / Q000379:methods*; D000818:Animals; D015925:Cryopreservation / Q000379:methods*; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D050498:Live Birth; D008833:Microcirculation / Q000502:physiology / Q000601:surgery*; D010053:Ovary / Q000098:blood supply / Q000502:physiology / Q000637:transplantation*; D011247:Pregnancy / Q000502:physiology; D011270:Pregnancy, Animal / Q000502:physiology*; D012756:Sheep; D014654:Vascular Patency