Normal pregnancies and live births after autograft of frozen-thawed hemi-ovaries into ewes

Fertil Steril. 2002 Feb;77(2):403-8. doi: 10.1016/s0015-0282(01)02960-0.

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate long-term outcome of autotransplantation of cryopreserved hemi-ovaries into ewes.

Design: Animal study.

Setting: University fertility center, Hospices Civils de Lyon; and Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire de Lyon.

Patient(s): Grivette ewes.

Intervention(s): Six hemi-ovaries from 6 ewes aged 6 to 12 months were frozen with a slow cooling protocol using 2 M of dimethyl sulfoxide as cryoprotectant. After dissection of the medulla, the hemi-ovarian cortex was stored at -196 degrees C in liquid nitrogen. Freezing procedure was performed with a programmable freezer. Semiautomatic seeding was performed before crystallization. Four to 6 weeks after the first laparotomy, the left ovary was removed and the frozen-thawed hemi-ovary was sutured.

Main outcome measure(s): Mean plasma concentrations of FSH, LH, and progesterone after autotransplantation of frozen-thawed hemi-ovary. Ultrasonography was done to confirm pregnancy. Blood samples were collected weekly to measure FSH, LH, and progesterone. After the first birth, the autografted ovary was removed for histologic examination.

Result(s): Plasma progesterone concentration increased in a regular manner in all ewes except one 4 weeks after the graft. Concentrations of FSH and LH did not reach the menopausal level. Four pregnancies occurred, from which 6 lambs were born. The first delivery of a normal lamb occurred after 135 days of gestation; the lamb died immediately after birth. The second delivery of two normal lambs occurred after 130 days of gestation. A caesarean section was performed on the third pregnant ewe the 110th days of gestation because the ewe had a vaginal prolapsus. The two normal lambs and the ewe died after surgery. The fourth birth of a normal lamb occurred after 132 days of gestation. Histologic examination of the grafted frozen-thawed ovary showed a regressing corpus luteum and few primordial and antral follicles.

Conclusion(s): These four pregnancies in a ewe model may indicate that women who undergo preservation of their ovaries before chemotherapy or radiotherapy can have successful pregnancy.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Animals, Newborn
  • Cryopreservation / methods
  • Cryopreservation / veterinary*
  • Cryoprotective Agents / pharmacology
  • Dimethyl Sulfoxide / pharmacology
  • Female
  • Follicle Stimulating Hormone / blood
  • Histocytochemistry
  • Luteinizing Hormone / blood
  • Male
  • Ovary / cytology
  • Ovary / physiology
  • Ovary / transplantation*
  • Pregnancy
  • Pregnancy, Animal / physiology*
  • Progesterone / blood
  • Sheep / physiology*
  • Sheep / surgery
  • Transplantation, Autologous / veterinary

Substances

  • Cryoprotective Agents
  • Progesterone
  • Luteinizing Hormone
  • Follicle Stimulating Hormone
  • Dimethyl Sulfoxide