Heterotopic Allogenic and Autogenic Ovarian Transplantation in Rabbits: Assessment and Comparison of the Morphological and Endocrine Characteristics

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate and compare the endocrine function and morphological characteristics of subcutaneous heterotopic allogenic and autogenic ovarian transplantation in immune-suppressed rabbits. Each group included seven rabbits. Group I (allogenic group) underwent freshly subcutaneous allogeneic heterotopic transplantation (n=7) (from group III to group I). Group II (autogenic group) underwent freshly subcutaneous autogenic heterotopic transplantation (n7).Group III was the donor group (n=7). The levels of serum follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) were significantly lower during the 2nd week (P=0.017) than during the 3rd week in group I, and were significantly higher during the 4th week than at other times (P=0.001) in group II. The levels of serum 17-β estradiol (E<inf>2</inf>) were significantly lower during the 3rd week (P=0.008) than during the 1st and 2nd weeks in group I, and were significantly lower during the 4th week than at other times (P=0.001) in group II. The levels of serum progesterone (P<inf>4</inf>) were not vary significantly (P=0.441) in group I and were significantly higher during the 1st week than during the 3rd week (P=0.033) in group II according to the ANOVA. Histological examination was performed using light microscopy after staining with hematoxylin-eosin (HE). Our results showed that there is no remarkable difference between autogenic and allogeneic heterotopic freshly transplanted ovarian tissue, especially in terms of the FSH and P<inf>4</inf> levels during a four week period. We found that autogenic and allogeneic freshly transplanted ovarian tissues had similar characteristics in terms of the endocrine and histological characteristics.