Electron paramagnetic resonance as a tool to evaluate human ovarian tissue reoxygenation after xenografting.
OBJECTIVE
To develop electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) oximetry as a tool to characterize the oxygen environment in human ovarian xenografts in the early postgrafting period.


METHODS
Prospective experimental study.


METHODS
Gynecology research unit in a university hospital.


METHODS
Biopsies were obtained from 6 women aged 22-35 years.


METHODS
Frozen-thawed human ovarian tissue fragments were grafted to an intraperitoneal site in nude mice. Before grafting, lithium phthalocyanine, an oxygen reporter, was implanted inside the fragments.


METHODS
To monitor partial pressure of oxygen (pO(2)) by EPR on postgrafting days 3, 5, 7, 10, 14, 17, and 21 and validate the technique by histologic assessment.


RESULTS
A period of hypoxia was identified before day 5, followed by gradual but significant oxygenation over the next 5 days, suggesting an active process of graft revascularization. Reoxygenation kinetics in human ovarian xenotransplants were quantified.


CONCLUSIONS
Our data validated the EPR oximetry technique as a tool to monitor pO(2) in ovarian grafting. The critical early period of hypoxia was identified, and the first steps of reoxygenation were characterized. In the future, our model may be used to evaluate new freezing and grafting protocols with the aim of reducing potential cryoinjury and initial ischemia-reperfusion damage.
Van Eyck
Anne-Sophie
AS
Department of Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, Université catholique de Louvain, Louvain, Cliniques Universitaires St. Luc, Avenue Hippocrate 10, Brussels, Belgium.
Jordan
Bénédicte Francine
BF
Gallez
Bernard
B
Heilier
Jean-François
JF
Van Langendonckt
Anne
A
Donnez
Jacques
J
D000818:Animals; D004578:Electron Spin Resonance Spectroscopy / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D000860:Hypoxia / Q000378:metabolism; D051379:Mice; D008819:Mice, Nude; D010053:Ovary / Q000098:blood supply / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000637:transplantation*; D010092:Oximetry; D010101:Oxygen Consumption; D014183:Transplantation, Heterologous / Q000502:physiology*