title: Preliminary observations on whole-ovary xenotransplantation as an experimental model for fertility preservation.
abstract: Ovarian tissue preservation and retransplantation is a promising strategy to restore fertility in cancer survivors. Ischaemia accompanying ovarian tissue grafting, however, can lead to significant follicle loss. Transplantation of the whole ovary by vascular anastomosis has been considered as an alternative to prevent widespread ischaemic damage. In this study, the feasibility and function of transplanting whole ovary with intact vasculature were evaluated, with the goal of developing a xenograft model for studies using donated human ovaries. Whole-swine ovaries with vascular pedicles were perfused and transplanted as intact ovaries by anastomosis into irradiated ovariectomized nude rats (n = 10). The observation period was between 1 and 4 weeks. Fresh swine ovaries served as controls (n = 10). Ovarian stroma and follicle populations were assessed through histological examination in both transplanted and control ovaries. Most of the transplanted whole ovaries (n = 6) maintained stromal quality and all preantral follicle classes were represented, although follicle numbers decreased compared with fresh control. Four transplanted ovaries were fibrotic after 1-4 weeks within the nude rat. Our results demonstrate transplantation of whole-pig ovary into nude rats is possible and support development of this xenograft model system for human studies.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Erlangen University Hospital, University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, Universitätsstrasse 21-23, Erlangen 91054, Germany.
authors.forename: Stephanie M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Nichols-Burns
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Erlangen University Hospital, University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, Universitätsstrasse 21-23, Erlangen 91054, Germany.
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Lotz
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Erlangen University Hospital, University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, Universitätsstrasse 21-23, Erlangen 91054, Germany.
authors.forename: Heike
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Schneider
authors.affiliation: Department of Heart Surgery, Erlangen University Hospital, University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, Universitätsstrasse 21-23, Erlangen 91054, Germany.
authors.forename: Edyta
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Adamek
authors.affiliation: Department of Nephropathology, Erlangen University Hospital, University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, Universitätsstrasse 21-23, Erlangen 91054, Germany.
authors.forename: Christoph
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Daniel
authors.affiliation: Department of Nephropathology, Erlangen University Hospital, University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, Universitätsstrasse 21-23, Erlangen 91054, Germany.
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Stief
authors.affiliation: Department of Nephropathology, Erlangen University Hospital, University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, Universitätsstrasse 21-23, Erlangen 91054, Germany.
authors.forename: Christina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Grigo
authors.affiliation: Department of Plastics and Hand Surgery, Erlangen University Hospital, University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, Universitätsstrasse 21-23, Erlangen 91054, Germany.
authors.forename: Dorothee
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Klump
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Erlangen University Hospital, University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, Universitätsstrasse 21-23, Erlangen 91054, Germany.
authors.forename: Inge
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Hoffmann
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Erlangen University Hospital, University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, Universitätsstrasse 21-23, Erlangen 91054, Germany.
authors.forename: Matthias W
authors.initials: MW
authors.lastname: Beckmann
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Erlangen University Hospital, University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, Universitätsstrasse 21-23, Erlangen 91054, Germany. Electronic address: ralf.dittrich@uk-erlangen.de.
authors.forename: Ralf
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Dittrich
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D015925:Cryopreservation / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D005298:Fertility; D059247:Fertility Preservation / Q000379:methods*; D007511:Ischemia / Q000517:prevention & control; D023421:Models, Animal; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy; D006080:Ovarian Follicle / Q000473:pathology; D010053:Ovary / Q000473:pathology* / Q000637:transplantation*; D010477:Perfusion; D051381:Rats; D011923:Rats, Nude; D013552:Swine; D014021:Tissue Preservation; D014183:Transplantation, Heterologous / Q000379:methods*
keywords: fertility preservation; follicle loss; whole organ transplantation; xenograft model