Effect of cyclosporin A on the morphology and function of the ovary and fertility in the rabbit.

The effect of Cyclosporin A (CyA) on the ovary was studied in the rabbit using immunotherapeutic doses of 15 mg/kg body weight/day I.M. for 14 days. Dysfunction and structural injury were demonstrated in the ovaries of all the animals that received the drug. The similarity of the lesions to those described in the ovaries of patients who received cytotoxic drugs raises the possibility of gonadotoxic effect of CyA in the human. This study was prompted by the observation of certain peculiarities of the rejection of CyA immunosuppressed ovarian allografts in the rabbit; this will be the subject of a forthcoming communication.