Heterotopic ovarian transplantation without vascular pedicle in syngeneic Lewis rats: six-month control of estradiol and follicle-stimulating hormoneconcentrations after intraperitoneal and subcutaneous implants

Objective: To assess the recovery, maintenance, and quality of ovarian func tion by comparing the success of autotransplantation in intraperitoneal (IP ) and SC locations over a 6-month period in syngeneic Lewis rats. Design: Experimental animal study. Setting: Unit of Experimental Research at the Barcelona University School o f Medicine. Animal(s): Female syngeneic Lewis rats. Intervention(s): The animals were randomized to one of three groups: group A, control group with ovariectomy (n = 15); group B, ovariectomy and IP aut ologous heterotopic transplant of ovarian tissue without vascular pedicle ( n = 14); and group C, ovariectomy and SC autologous heterotopic transplant (n = 15). Main Outcome Measure(s): Serum levels of FSH and 17 beta-E-2 and vaginal cy tology. Result(s): In groups B and C, E-2 serum concentrations from day 7 and day 1 0 onward remained comparable to basal levels, and significantly higher than in group A, throughout the B-month period. In group B from day 7 after sur gery onward, and in group C from day 10 after surgery onward, FSH concentra tions remained low (comparable to basal levels) throughout the follow-up pe riod. Vaginal cytology of groups B and C showed trophic maturation between days 4 and 10 after ovariectomy and insertion of the ovarian tissue implant , whereas the control group remained atrophic. There were no statistically significant differences between IP and SC implants. Conclusion(s): A heterotopic autotransplant of ovarian tissue without vascu lar pedicle in syngeneic Lewis rats is successful for greater than or equal to 6 months. (Fertil Steril(R) 1999;72:513-7. (C) 1999 by American Society for Reproductive Medicine.).