The impact of heterotopic ovarian tissue transplantation with varied volumes on reproductive endocrine function in oophorectomized rats.

Abstract

Background: This study aimed to investigate the effects of different volumes of ovarian tissue transplantation on the reproductive endocrine function of rats after oophorectomy.

Methods: Female rats were selected to establish a castration model and then underwent different volumes of ovarian tissue transplantation. Group I served as the sham operation group. The transplantation group was divided into five subgroups based on the calculated ratio of ovarian weight to body weight in normal female rats, δ = (2.52 ± 0.17) ×10^-4: Group II: transplanted ovarian volume was δ; Group III: 0.75δ; Group IV: 0.5δ; Group V: 0.25δ; Group VI: without ovarian transplantation. The post-transplant oestrous cycle recovery was observed, and blood samples were collected every 2 weeks to measure serum hormone levels. Histological evaluation was performed at the end of the observation period.

Results: Rats in Group V exhibited disrupted oestrous cycles after transplantation, which were significantly longer than those in Group I. Rats in Groups II, III, and IV showed no cyclic changes. At 6 weeks post-transplantation, rats in Group V had lower E2 and AMH levels and higher FSH levels compared to Group I. The uterine wet weight and the number of normal follicles in Group V were significantly lower than those in Group I, but the number of atretic follicles was higher than in Group I.

Conclusion: The larger ovarian tissue transplantation resulted in a faster recovery with a higher survival rate of the uterus and normal follicles, compared to smaller ovarian tissue transplantation.