MORPHOFUNCTIONAL ASSESSMENT OF INTACT AND SLICED OF AUTOLOGOUS OVARIAN TRANSPLANTATION

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this work was to assess endocrine and histological ovarian aspects of rabbits submitted to bilateral oophorectomy and orthotopic autologous intact and sliced ovarian transplantation without a vascular pedicle. Method: 42 New Zealand White and California rabbits were studied. Ovaries were removed and orthotopically transplanted with no vascular anastomoses: Group 1 (n = 8), only laparotomy and laparorrhaphy were performed; Group 2A (n = 8) intact ovaries were re-implanted on both sides; Group 2B (n = 8) both ovaries were sliced and orthotopically re-implanted; Group 2C (n = 8), an intact ovary was re-implanted on one side, and a sliced ovary was re-implanted on the other side. Estradiol, progesterone, follicle-stimulating hormone and luteinizing hormone levels were assessed nine months after surgery. At the end of the experiment, the morphologic aspect of ovaries, uterus, and tubes were performed. One-way ANOVA and Tukey-Kramer tests compared the hormonal dosages. The p < 0.05 significance was stated. Results: Ovary implants were surrounded by connective tissue; they were well vascularized and presenting follicles in different stages of development. Hormonal values were normal in all rabbits. Conclusion: Entire or sliced orthotopic autologous ovarian transplantation with no vascular pedicle is viable in rabbits, and effective in preserving normal levels of the ovarian hormone.