Secretion of progesterone by human overies perfused in vitro

A system for the perfusion of isolated human ovaries is described. Krebs-Ringer bicarbonate buffer (pH 7.4) containing glucose, sodium lactate and pyruvate was perfused at a flow rate of 5-8 ml/min at 37 degrees C through the ovarian artery. Oxygen uptake, LDH-activity, pH and progesterone secretion were determined as parameters of viability of the perfused organ. Our results demonstrate that a relatively simple system used for perfusion was able to preserve ovarian function for at least two hours. This experimental design should not be regarded as physiological but in addition to other experimental approaches it might provide information on the physiology of the human ovary. Though lower values of progesterone secretion than in vivo were found, a correlation of secretion and functional stage of the ovaries could be demonstrated.