Autologous heterotopic transplantation of intact rabbit ovary after frozen banking at -196 degrees C.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the efficiency of intact ovary after cryopreservation and transplantation in a rabbit model for limited longevity by revascularization ischemia after implantation of frozen-thawed ovarian tissue. Transplantation of an intact frozen ovary with microvascular anastomos has been shown to be feasible with modern cryobiology and microsurgery.


METHODS
Animal study.


METHODS
University-based teaching hospital.


METHODS
Twelve 5-month-old mature female New Zealand White rabbits.


METHODS
After bilateral oophorectomy with one ovary saved as a control in formalin-fixed and hematoxylin and eosin-stained paraffin sections, the contralateral intact ovary was used for autologous heterotopic transplantation after freezing and thawing.


METHODS
Density of primordial follicles 6 months after transplantation was measured. Hormone levels and vaginal cytology were followed throughout the oophorectomy and transplantation period.


RESULTS
Ten of 12 rabbits had restored ovarian function 1 week after transplantation of their intact cryopreserved ovary. At the 6-month posttransplantation follow-up, mean primordial follicle density was statistically significantly lower in the experimental than in the control ovaries (13.99 +/- 3.21 vs. 18.68 +/- 3.86 per high-power field). The remaining two rabbits, which had cracked mesentery fat adjacent to the ovary after thawing, never regained ovarian function.


CONCLUSIONS
With microsurgery, cryopreservation of an intact rabbit ovary followed by autologous transplantation may overcome revascularization-associated ischemia to save primordial follicles and attain reasonable graft longevity.
Chen
Chi-Huang
CH
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tri-Service General Hospital, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan. chihuangndmc@yahoo.com
Chen
Shyi-Gen
SG
Wu
Gwo-Jang
GJ
Wang
Jaang
J
Yu
Cheng-Ping
CP
Liu
Jah-Yao
JY
D000818:Animals; D015925:Cryopreservation; D005260:Female; D006728:Hormones / Q000378:metabolism; D009336:Necrosis; D006080:Ovarian Follicle / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000473:pathology; D010053:Ovary / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000473:pathology / Q000502:physiology* / Q000637:transplantation*; D011817:Rabbits; D013696:Temperature; D013997:Time Factors; D014015:Tissue Banks; D014022:Tissue Survival; D014182:Transplantation, Autologous; D016042:Transplantation, Heterotopic
D006728:Hormones