Ovarian transplantation by selective microvascular anastomoses in the rabbit

Autotransplantation of the ovary by microvascular anastomoses was performed in 42 rabbits by three different procedures: orthotopic replantation with selective end-to-end anastomoses of the ovarian vessels; heterotopic transplantation in the groin area, with anastomosis of the ovarian vessels on the inferior epigastric vessels; heterotopic transplantation in the groin with the ovary included in a peritoneal sac to prevent adhesions. Three weeks later, at day 3 of a pseudo-pregnancy, the grafts were examined and morphology, presence of adhesions and ovulation were compared with those of a control group. The long-term vascular patency rate was 78%. The ovulation rate was 71.5% in the orthotopic group, 50% in the heterotopic group and 83.5% in the heterotopic group with the ovary in a peritoneal sac. Subcutaneous transplantation of the ovary within a peritoneal sac provides a new and useful experimental model for the study of tubo-ovarian function and for recovery of postovulatory oocytes.