title: Allogeneic ovarian orthotopic transplantation in rabbits without a vascular pedicle: morphological, endocrinologic, and natural pregnancy assessment.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  To assess the natural pregnancy of rabbits undergoing bilateral oophorectomy and determine the morphofunctional aspects of orthotopic transplantation of allogeneic intact and sliced ovarian tissue without a vascular pedicle.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty-two female rabbits had their ovaries removed and orthotopically transplanted between the two breeds of rabbits without vascular anastomoses: group 1 (n = 8), only laparotomy; group 2A (n = 8) intact ovaries transplanted on both sides; group 2B (n = 8), ovaries sliced and orthotopically transplanted; group 2C (n = 8), an intact ovary transplanted on one side and a sliced ovary on the other side. Three months later, the animals were paired with males for copulation. We assessed estradiol, progesterone, follicle-stimulating hormone, and luteinizing hormone levels. A histological study was performed, and the number of pregnancies and litters determined.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Pregnancies occurred in seven rabbits of group 1; in 37.5% of rabbits in group 2A; 50% in group 2B; and 62.5% in group 2C. Hormone levels and histology confirmed the vitality of all ovaries.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Intact or sliced orthotopic allogeneic ovarian transplantations without a vascular pedicle are viable in rabbits, preserving hormonal and fertile functions.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Medical School of the Federal University of Minas Gerais, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Petroianu
authors.forename: L R
authors.initials: LR
authors.lastname: Alberti
authors.forename: L S
authors.initials: LS
authors.lastname: Vasconcellos
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D003307:Copulation; D005260:Female; D006085:Graft Survival; D008297:Male; D023421:Models, Animal; D010053:Ovary / Q000637:transplantation*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011270:Pregnancy, Animal; D011817:Rabbits; D014184:Transplantation, Homologous / Q000379:methods*