BACKGROUND: To assess the natural pregnancy of rabbits undergoing bilateral oophorectomy and determine the morphofunctional aspects of orthotopic transplantation of allogeneic intact and sliced ovarian tissue without a vascular pedicle. METHODS: Thirty-two female rabbits had their ovaries removed and orthotopically transplanted between the two breeds of rabbits without vascular anastomoses: group 1 (n = 8), only laparotomy; group 2A (n = 8) intact ovaries transplanted on both sides; group 2B (n = 8), ovaries sliced and orthotopically transplanted; group 2C (n = 8), an intact ovary transplanted on one side and a sliced ovary on the other side. Three months later, the animals were paired with males for copulation. We assessed estradiol, progesterone, follicle-stimulating hormone, and luteinizing hormone levels. A histological study was performed, and the number of pregnancies and litters determined. RESULTS: Pregnancies occurred in seven rabbits of group 1; in 37.5% of rabbits in group 2A; 50% in group 2B; and 62.5% in group 2C. Hormone levels and histology confirmed the vitality of all ovaries. CONCLUSIONS: Intact or sliced orthotopic allogeneic ovarian transplantations without a vascular pedicle are viable in rabbits, preserving hormonal and fertile functions.
BACKGROUND: To assess the natural pregnancy of rabbits undergoing bilateral oophorectomy and determine the morphofunctional aspects of orthotopic transplantation of allogeneic intact and sliced ovarian tissue without a vascular pedicle. METHODS: Thirty-two female rabbits had their ovaries removed and orthotopically transplanted between the two breeds of rabbits without vascular anastomoses: group 1 (n = 8), only laparotomy; group 2A (n = 8) intact ovaries transplanted on both sides; group 2B (n = 8), ovaries sliced and orthotopically transplanted; group 2C (n = 8), an intact ovary transplanted on one side and a sliced ovary on the other side. Three months later, the animals were paired with males for copulation. We assessed estradiol, progesterone, follicle-stimulating hormone, and luteinizing hormone levels. A histological study was performed, and the number of pregnancies and litters determined. RESULTS: Pregnancies occurred in seven rabbits of group 1; in 37.5% of rabbits in group 2A; 50% in group 2B; and 62.5% in group 2C. Hormone levels and histology confirmed the vitality of all ovaries. CONCLUSIONS: Intact or sliced orthotopic allogeneic ovarian transplantations without a vascular pedicle are viable in rabbits, preserving hormonal and fertile functions.