Morphologic, endocrinologic and natural pregnancy assessment of allogeneic ovarian orthotopic transplantation without a vascular pedicle in rabbits.
OBJECTIVE
The objective was to assess the natural pregnancy of rabbits subjected to bilateral oophorectomy and orthotopic allogeneic intact and sliced ovarian transplantation without a vascular pedicle, and to determine the morphofunctional aspects of the transplanted ovaries.


METHODS
Thirty-two female rabbits were studied. The ovaries were removed and orthotopically transplanted without vascular anastomoses between the two breeds of rabbits. In Group 1 (n=8), only laparotomy and laparorrhaphy were performed, in Group 2A (n=8) intact ovaries were transplanted on both sides, in Group 2B (n=8) both ovaries were sliced and orthotopically transplanted, and in Group 2C (n=8) an intact ovary was transplanted on one side and a sliced ovary on the other side. Three months later, the animals were paired with males for copulation. Estradiol, progesterone, follicle-stimulating hormone, and luteinizing hormone levels were assessed. A histologic study was carried out and the numbers of pregnancies and litters were also determined.


RESULTS
Pregnancies occurred in seven rabbits in Group 1, 37.5% of rabbits in Group 2A, 50% in Group 2B, and 62.5% in Group 2C. Hormone levels and histology confirmed the vitality and function of all ovaries.


CONCLUSIONS
Intact or sliced orthotopic allogeneic ovarian transplantation without a vascular pedicle is viable in rabbits, and preserves their hormonal and fertile functions.
Petroianu
Andy
A
Department of Surgery, Medical School of the Federal University of Minas Gerais, Brazil. Avenida Afonso Pena, no. 1626, Apto. 1901, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais 30130-005, Brazil. petroian@medicina.ufmg.br
Alberti
Luiz R
LR
Vasconcellos
Leonardo S
LS
D000818:Animals; D004958:Estradiol / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D005298:Fertility; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000097:blood; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone / Q000097:blood; D010053:Ovary / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000098:blood supply / Q000637:transplantation*; D011247:Pregnancy; D018873:Pregnancy Rate; D011374:Progesterone / Q000097:blood; D011817:Rabbits; D014184:Transplantation, Homologous
D011374:Progesterone; D004958:Estradiol; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone