Effects of HMG on revascularization and follicular survival in heterotopic autotransplants of mouse ovarian tissue.

Ovarian tissue transplantation is now considered as a procedure to preserve the fertility of young women patients undergoing cancer therapy. The present study investigated the effects and mechanism of human menopausal gonadotrophin (HMG) intervention on vascular remoulding in ovarian heterotopic autotransplantation. Ovaries of 8-week-old mice were cultured in vitro with different concentrations of HMG for 3h for measuring the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). The cultured ovaries were implanted under the kidney capsule and removed 24, 36, 48 h or 1 month after transplantation. Revascularization, fluid exudation and the number of surviving ovarian follicles were observed. The results showed that VEGF was increased 1.6-6.5 times in the HMG intervention groups. Revascularization appeared 24-36 h after transplantation and was earlier than that of the control. Fluid exudation increased incrementally with increasing HMG concentrations. The total number of surviving ovarian follicles was increased by 1.2-1.5 times in the HMG 0.15 IU/ml group as compared with the other groups 1 month after transplantation. It is concluded that intervention with HMG in vitro before transplantation could improve the blood supply reconstruction and survival of the autotransplanted ovarian follicles, which might be associated with increased VEGF expression.