Allogeneic and autologous ovarian orthotopic transplantation without a vascular pedicle: morphological, endocrinologic and natural pregnancy assessment.
BACKGROUND
To assess the natural pregnancy of rabbits submitted to bilateral oophorectomy and orthotopic allogeneic or autologous intact and sliced ovarian transplantation without a vascular pedicle, and to determine the morpho-functional aspects of the transplanted ovaries.


METHODS
Fifty-six female rabbits were studied. The ovaries were removed and orthotopically transplanted or replaced without vascular anastomoses: Group 1 (n = 8), only laparotomy and laparorrhaphy; Group 2A (n = 8), intact ovaries were transplanted on both sides; Group 2B (n = 8), both ovaries were sliced and orthotopically transplanted; Group 2C (n = 8), an intact ovary was transplanted on one side and a sliced ovary on the other side; Groups 3A-C, the ovaries were reimplanted according to the procedure and subgroups described for Group 2. Three months later, the animals were paired with males for copulation. Estradiol, progesterone, FSH and LH hormone levels were assessed. A histological study was carried out, and the number of pregnancies and litters were also determined. Chi-squared test compared the number of pregnancies and litters. One-way anova and the Tukey-Kramer tests compared the hormonal dosages.


RESULTS
Pregnancies occurred in seven rabbits of Group 1, in 37.5% of rabbits in Groups 2A and 3A, in 50% of groups 2B, 3B and 3C, and in 62.5% of group 2C. Hormone levels and histology confirmed the vitality of all ovaries.


CONCLUSIONS
Intact or sliced orthotopic allogeneic and autologous 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, Minas Gerais, Brazil. petroian@medicina.ufmg.br
Alberti
Luiz R
LR
Vasconcellos
Leonardo S
LS
D000714:Anastomosis, Surgical; D000818:Animals; D005260:Female; D006085:Graft Survival; D013509:Gynecologic Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D010053:Ovary / Q000601:surgery / Q000637:transplantation*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011270:Pregnancy, Animal; D011817:Rabbits; D014182:Transplantation, Autologous / Q000379:methods*