Andy Petroianu1, Luiz R Alberti, Leonardo S Vasconcellos. 1. Department of Surgery, Medical School of the Federal University of Minas Gerais, Brazil. Avenida Afonso Pena, no. 1626, Apto. 1901, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais 30130-005, Brazil. petroian@medicina.ufmg.br
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: The objective was to assess the natural pregnancy of rabbits subjected to bilateral oophorectomy and orthotopic allogeneic intact and sliced ovarian transplantation without a vascular pedicle, and to determine the morphofunctional aspects of the transplanted ovaries. STUDY DESIGN: Thirty-two female rabbits were studied. The ovaries were removed and orthotopically transplanted without vascular anastomoses between the two breeds of rabbits. In Group 1 (n=8), only laparotomy and laparorrhaphy were performed, in Group 2A (n=8) intact ovaries were transplanted on both sides, in Group 2B (n=8) both ovaries were sliced and orthotopically transplanted, and in Group 2C (n=8) an intact ovary was transplanted on one side and a sliced ovary on the other side. Three months later, the animals were paired with males for copulation. Estradiol, progesterone, follicle-stimulating hormone, and luteinizing hormone levels were assessed. A histologic study was carried out and the numbers of pregnancies and litters were also determined. RESULTS: Pregnancies occurred in seven rabbits in Group 1, 37.5% of rabbits in Group 2A, 50% in Group 2B, and 62.5% in Group 2C. Hormone levels and histology confirmed the vitality and function of all ovaries. CONCLUSIONS: Intact or sliced orthotopic allogeneic ovarian transplantation without a vascular pedicle is viable in rabbits, and preserves their hormonal and fertile functions.
OBJECTIVE: The objective was to assess the natural pregnancy of rabbits subjected to bilateral oophorectomy and orthotopic allogeneic intact and sliced ovarian transplantation without a vascular pedicle, and to determine the morphofunctional aspects of the transplanted ovaries. STUDY DESIGN: Thirty-two female rabbits were studied. The ovaries were removed and orthotopically transplanted without vascular anastomoses between the two breeds of rabbits. In Group 1 (n=8), only laparotomy and laparorrhaphy were performed, in Group 2A (n=8) intact ovaries were transplanted on both sides, in Group 2B (n=8) both ovaries were sliced and orthotopically transplanted, and in Group 2C (n=8) an intact ovary was transplanted on one side and a sliced ovary on the other side. Three months later, the animals were paired with males for copulation. Estradiol, progesterone, follicle-stimulating hormone, and luteinizing hormone levels were assessed. A histologic study was carried out and the numbers of pregnancies and litters were also determined. RESULTS: Pregnancies occurred in seven rabbits in Group 1, 37.5% of rabbits in Group 2A, 50% in Group 2B, and 62.5% in Group 2C. Hormone levels and histology confirmed the vitality and function of all ovaries. CONCLUSIONS: Intact or sliced orthotopic allogeneic ovarian transplantation without a vascular pedicle is viable in rabbits, and preserves their hormonal and fertile functions.
Authors: Melanie Tran; Linda A Gallo; Alanna N Hanvey; Andrew J Jefferies; Kerryn T Westcott; Luise A Cullen-McEwen; David K Gardner; Karen M Moritz; Mary E Wlodek Journal: Am J Physiol Regul Integr Comp Physiol Date: 2014-02-12 Impact factor: 3.619