Parameters affecting successful transplantation of frozen-thawed human fetal ovaries into immunodeficient mice

To compare the development and survival of human fetal follicles frozen-thawed with dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) and propandiol (PROH) in immunodeficient mice, to study the effects of host treatment with FSH, and to compare kidney and subcutaneous transplantation.

Controlled histologic study.

Major tertiary care and referral academic center.Twenty-one women undergoing second-trimester pregnancy termination. Microscopic morphometric analysis and immunocytochemistry for proliferating-cell nuclear antigen in human fetal ovaries grafted into immunodeficient mice.

Renal grafts that were frozen-thawed with DMSO rather than PROH survived better in the hosts (79.6% compared with 58.8%), but significantly more follicles were identified in grafts frozen-thawed with PROH (P<.001). Follicular development was observed only in FSH-treated hosts, and follicular survival and development was better in the kidney than the subcutaneous site.

This is the first report showing development of human fetal follicles in immunodeficient mice. Freezing-thawing with PROH seems to support development and survival better than with DMSO. The kidney is a better transplantation site than the subcutaneous site, probably because of its superior vascularization. Administration of FSH to the host is essential for follicular development. Follicular development and growth was better in ovarian grafts from older fetuses, as they contained more formed follicles.