Einstein (São Paulo) (Mar 2008)
Endocrine, morphological and gestational aspects of intact and sliced autogynous or homogynous ovarian orthotopic transplantation without vascular pedicle
Abstract
Objective: To assess the rate of natural pregnancy and to determinethe endocrine and histological (morphofunctional) aspects ofrabbit ovaries after being submitted to bilateral oophorectomyand orthotopic allogeneic or autologous intact and sliced ovariantransplantation without a vascular pedicle. Methods: Fifty-sixfemale New Zealand White and California rabbits were studied. Theovaries were removed and orthotopically transplanted or reimplantedwithout vascular anastomoses: Group 1 (n = 8), sham-operated,only laparotomy and closure; Group 2A (n = 8), with bilateral intactovaries reimplanted; Group 2B (n = 8), with bilateral sliced ovariesorthotopically reimplanted; Group 2C (n = 8), with an intact ovaryreimplanted on one side and a sliced ovary on the other side; Group3A (n = 8), with bilateral orthotopic intact ovaries transplants; Group 3B (n = 8), with bilateral sliced ovaries orthotopically transplanted; and Group 3C (n = 8), with 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. The estradiol, progesterone, FSH and LH levels were assessed nine months after surgery. The morphologic aspect of the ovaries was studied, and the number of pregnancies and litters were also determined. Chi-square test compared the number of successful pregnancies and the number of litters between groups. One-way ANOVA and the Tukey-Kramer tests compared the hormonal levels. The significance level adopted was p < 0.05. Results: Pregnancies occurred in seven rabbits (87.5%)of Group 1, in 37.5% of rabbits in Groups 2A and 3A, in 50% ofGroups 2B, 2C and 3B and in 62.5% of Group 3C. Hormone levels andhistology confirmed the vitality of all ovaries. Conclusions: Intact or sliced orthotopic allogeneic and autologous ovarian transplantation without a vascular pedicle is efficacious in rabbits, and their fertility and hormonal functions are preserved.
