Ovarian Auto-Transplantation of Cryopreserved Tissue on Muscle Surface Compared With Subrenal Capsular in Rats

Abstract

Fertility protection and ovarian function preservation are important to those undergoing radiation therapy to fight female reproductive cancers. The aim of this study was to explore a new ovarian transplantation position, the surface of thigh muscle, which was biceps femoris muscle in rats. We hypothesized that this procedure was comparable to traditional subrenal capsular transplantation and realized a normal ovarian function. The ovarian tissue, after cryopreservation, were transplanted to surface of biceps femoris muscle by suturing. Histologic examination indicated that the transplanted tissues would survive and support a lower level of follicle growth compared with subrenal capsular (17 ± 2.6 vs 8.9 ± 4; P=.0018). According to weight gaining record, muscle surface transplantation supported appropriate weight gain although the β-estradiol levels did not completely recover. This new procedure could support a basic normal estrous cycle. Ovarian transplantation through this procedure partly rebuilt ovarian function, which was more likely to be an alternative way for those not suitable for subrenal capsular transplantation.