CRYOPRESERVATION OF MURINE OVARIAN TISSUE

To determine the feasibility of ovarian transplantation using cryopres erved tissue, ovaries were removed from anesthetized 12- to 20-week-ol d female mice. The controls consisted of a sham-operated group and an oophorectomized group, and the experimental groups were autologous tra nsplants with and without cryopreservation. Ovaries for cryopreservati on were suspended in 1.4 M dimethyl sulfoxide Tyrode's solution, at 22 degrees C for 5 min and cooled at a controlled rate (0.5 degrees C/mi n) to -55 degrees C. The ovaries were stored in liquid nitrogen for 1 to 30 days and then thawed at room temperature. Thawed ovarian tissue was washed free of dimethyl sulfoxide and transplanted. Subsequent dai ly examination of vaginal cytology indicated ovarian endocrine activit y in all groups except those oophorectomized without transplants. Anim als receiving ovarian tissue, fresh and cryopreserved, were euthanized at diestrus I, 6 weeks postoperatively, for ovarian histology; both g roups demonstrated folliculogenesis. The histology and endocrine funct ion of autotransplanted cryopreserved ovaries were similar to those of nonfrozen transplanted ovaries and of ovaries in sham-operated groups . (C) 1994 Academic Press, Inc.