Autologus Transplantation of Intact Mouse Ovaries in Gluteus Superficialis Muscle

Objective: Anti-cancer therapies frequently lead to ovarian damage and defective fertility. Topreserve fertility, cryopreservation and subsequent transplantation of the ovaries has beensuggested. The aim of this study was to investigate the survival of follicles in intact intramuscularmouse autologous ovaries, according to the time the ovarian tissue remained in thegrafted site.Materials and Methods: Ovaries (n=9) were transplanted intramuscularly into gluteus superficialis.These grafted ovaries were removed after one, two and three weeks from the graftedsite. A histological examination and counting of follicles was then performed. Some ovaries(n= 3) from the same mice were selected randomly for the control group. Hematoxyline andeosin (H & E) staining was used for follicle counting and TUNEL staining for the examinationof apoptosis in grafted tissues.Results: Mean follicular survival was significantly lower in experimental groups compared tothe control group (non-grafted) (p<0.05), because of ischemic damages. Also healthy primordialfollicle numbers in grafted ovaries were higher than other types.Conclusion: Antral follicles are the most sensitive to ischemic damages and primordial folliclesare the least sensitive. Also the presence of healthy follicles in grafted tissues showsthat ovarian transplantation could be a promising method for infertility treatment of patientsdiagnosed with cancer