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

Objective: To assess the recovery, maintenance, and quality of ovarian function 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 of 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 autologous 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 cytology. Result(s): In groups B and C, E-2 serum concentrations from day 7 and day 10 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 surgery onward, and in group C from day 10 after surgery onward, FSH concentrations remained low (comparable to basal levels) throughout the follow-up period. 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 vascular 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.).