[Recovery of reproductive endocrine function after orthotopic fetal ovarian allotransplantation in rats].
OBJECTIVE
To assess the recovery of the reproductive endocrine function in rats following orthotopic transplantation of fetal ovarian allograft.


METHODS
Ninety female SD rats (50-60 days old) were randomized into graft recipient group (n=50), positive control group (n=20), and negative control group (n=20) to receive orthotopic transplantation of fetal (17-19 gestational days) ovaries following bilateral oophorectomy, sham abdominal surgery, and bilateral oophorectomy, respectively. At 45 days after the surgeries, serum estradiol and progesterone levels were measured and the ovaries were removed for evaluation of the ovarian volume and follicle development.


RESULTS
On day 45 after the operations, the estradiol or progesterone levels showed no significant difference between the recipient group and positive control group (P>0.05), but both were significantly lowered in the negative control group (P<0.05). The ovarian volume was comparable between the recipient group and positive control group (P>0.05), and optical microscopy showed follicles in different stages of development and formation of corpus luteum in the ovaries in both groups.


CONCLUSIONS
Fetal rat ovary allografts can develop into functional ovaries capable of ovulation to restore the reproductive endocrine function of recipient female rats.
Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China. xudabao@hotmail.com
Da-bao
DB
Xu
Jun-lei
JL
Xu
Xue-ying
XY
Han
Sai
S
Zhou
Qi-fa
QF
Ye
D000818:Animals; D004958:Estradiol / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D005333:Fetus; D010052:Ovariectomy; D010053:Ovary / Q000502:physiology* / Q000637:transplantation*; D010060:Ovulation / Q000502:physiology; D011247:Pregnancy; D011374:Progesterone / Q000097:blood*; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D014184:Transplantation, Homologous
D011374:Progesterone; D004958:Estradiol