The influence of venous drainage on autologous ovarian transplantation

Despite many investigations of ovarian transplantation, it is still difficult to define the best site for ovarian implantation, considering its endocrine function. We sought to evaluate the influence of venous drainage on ovarian physiomorphological aspects and to assess ovary transplantation by intact and sliced techniques.

One hundred and eight cycling female Wistar rats were randomly divided into six groups (n = 18): G1 (control, sham operation), G2 (bilateral oophorectomy), G3 (transplantation of intact ovarium on the greater omentum), G4 (transplantation of sliced ovarium on the greater omentum), G5 (transplantation of intact ovarium in the retroperitoneum), G6 (transplantation of sliced ovarium in the retroperitoneum). The blood drainage of groups G3 and G4 was to the portal vein and that of groups G5 and G6 was to the cava. The estrus cycle was investigated in the 3rd and 6th months. Serum estradiol concentration was also assessed in all groups in the 3rd and 6th months. Histological studies of the transplanted ovaria were carried out at that time.

G1 animals preserved the cycling sequence. G2 rats persisted in diestrus. Nine G3 rats showed estrus cycles. Fourteen G4 rats had normal cycles and 1 rat persisted in estrus. Seven G5 rats showed estrus vaginal smears. Nine G6 animals had estrus vaginal smear patterns and 3 showed incomplete cycles in the 3rd month and complete in the 6th month. The histology of all ovaria confirmed the preservation of their vitality. The ovaries of G5 and G6 animals had more cysts and fewer corpora lutea. The sliced ovaries implanted on the omentum presented higher estradiol concentrations.

The ovaria that drained to the portal vein presented a better physiomorphological aspect than those that drained to the cava. The sliced ovaria were more efficient than the intact ones.