HOMOTRANSPLANTATION OF OVARIES WITH VASCULAR ANASTOMOSES IN RABBITS: RESPONSE OF TRANSPLANTS TO HUMAN CHORIONIC GONADOTROPHIN

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Abstract
SUMMARY A technique is described for the transplantation of ovaries in rabbits. Segments of aortae and venae cavae were included in grafts and implanted by means of the Vogelfanger-NRC blood vessel stapler into transected analogous vessels in recipients. As used ultimately, the procedure gave a survival rate of 14/18 recipients (11 with some paraplegia) and 12/14 grafts. Only one surviving graft ovulated in response to the first postoperative injection of human chorionic gonadotrophin (HCG) (50 or 100 i.u.) but follicles usually showed marked growth with or without petechial haemorrhages in their walls and then became luteinized. The response was shown to be specific for gonadotrophic stimulation and not a consequence of the operation. HCG given immediately postoperatively induced graft responses less consistently (2/6) than when injected 4 or 24 hr. later (6/7). Most recipient's own ovaries also failed to respond fully to the earlier injections. Ways in which circulatory disturbances may account for subovulatory responses are discussed. Grafts survived functionally for up to 6 days and follicles maturing after transplantation ovulated more readily in response to HCG (17 ovulations in 2/4 grafts). Beyond day 13, three grafts were rejected, no therapy being given to prolong their survival.

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