Modified Model of Whole Ovary Transplantation in Rats

Allogeneic ovarian transplantation promotes the recovery of ovarian function in a rat model of cisplatin-induced premature ovarian failure

In this study, ovarian transplantation at different sites was performed on the rat model of premature ovarian failure, to explore the effect on the recovery of ovarian function, and to evaluate the application value in the treatment of ovarian function decline caused by the application of chemotherapy drugs. Thirty 2-month-old female SD rats of SPF grade were randomly divided into five groups, and both ovaries in the model group were treated with cisplatin (11 mg/kg) for modelling. After successful modelling, another 18 rats were taken as donor rats: group A was the control group, group B was the model group and group CDE was the experimental group. Ovary transplantation was performed using muscle, subcutaneous and renal peritoneum, respectively, and the rats were monitored for their general condition, estrous cycle and serum hormone levels after surgery. At the end of the observation period, the rats were executed and follicular development was observed.We confirm that all methods are carried out in accordance with the relevant guidelines and regulations.After 14 days of xenotransplantation, the general condition of the rats in the experimental group was better than that of the model group. Serum E2 and AMH levels were significantly higher than those in the model group (P = 0.000), and FSH levels were significantly lower than those in the control group (P = 0.000). Cisplatin can be used to successfully establish the rat POF model; the three transplantation sites (muscle, subcutaneous and renal peritoneum) selected in this experiment can make the transplanted ovarian tissue survive and successfully restore the endocrine function of the body, and the effect of which showed no significant difference.

Cryopreservation and Transplantation of Laboratory Rodent Ovarian Tissue for Genome Banking and Biomedical Research

Genetic modifications in combination with highly sophisticated assisted reproductive technologies such as in vitro oocyte maturation and development, in vitro fertilization, intracytoplasmic sperm injection, and in vitro embryo culture have opened many research avenues and treatment options for both animals and humans. The number of genetically modified (GM) rodent strains increased considerably during the last several decades, and their numbers are expected to increase due to efficient gene editing technologies including the CRISPR/Cas9. Rodent ovarian tissues (OT) cryopreservation and transplantation procedures have several applications in biomedical field: they provide a fertility restoration option for GM rodent strains in some circumstances. They also serve as models to investigate OT cryopreservation as potential alternatives for human infertility patients as well as other domestic and wildlife species for the development of improved cryopreservation and subsequent transplantation strategies. The modeling studies enable determining effective cryoprotective agents (CPA), CPA and water permeability kinetics, and cooling and warming rates during the development of OT cryopreservation procedures. Furthermore, rodent models are extremely useful for determining post-thaw OT graft sites as well as potential medical interventions in an effort to expedite angiogenesis and inhibit inflammatory/immune response, OT longevity, and follicular integrity. Here we describe methodologies for rodent OT cryopreservation and potential transplantation sites for frozen-thawed rat and mouse OT.

Whole Ovary Cryopreservation and Transplantation: A Systematic Review of Challenges and Research Developments in Animal Experiments and Humans

Ovarian tissue cryopreservation and transplantation is the only fertility preservation option that enables both restoration of fertility and resumption of ovarian endocrine function, avoiding the morbidity associated with premature menopause. It is also the only technique available to prepubertal patients and those whose treatment cannot be delayed for life-threatening reasons. Ovarian tissue cryopreservation can be carried out in two different ways, either as ovarian cortical fragments or as a whole organ with its vascular pedicle. Although use of cortical strips is the only procedure that has been approved by the American Society for Reproductive Medicine, it is fraught with drawbacks, the major one being serious follicle loss occurring after avascular transplantation due to prolonged warm ischemia. Whole ovary cryopreservation involves vascular transplantation, which could theoretically counteract the latter phenomenon and markedly improve follicle survival. In theory, this technique should maintain endocrine and reproductive functions much longer than grafting of ovarian cortical fragments. However, this procedure includes a number of critical steps related to (A) the level of surgical expertise required to accomplish retrieval of a whole ovary with its vascular pedicle, (B) the choice of cryopreservation technique for freezing of the intact organ, and (C) successful execution of functional vascular reanastomosis upon thawing. The aim of this systematic review is to shed light on these challenges and summarize solutions that have been proposed so far in animal experiments and humans in the field of whole ovary cryopreservation and transplantation.