THE STUDY OF OVARIAN FUNCTION IN THE EWE BY MEANS OF A VASCULAR AUTOTRANSPLANTATION TECHNIQUE

Abstract

SUMMARY In order to obtain exclusive long-term access to both the arterial and venous sides of the ovarian circulation in the ewe, a technique was evolved for vascular autotransplantation of the ovary. The first stage consisted of the preparation of a carotid artery—jugular vein skin tube, with a pouch to receive the ovary and its pedicle. In the second stage, performed at least 2 months later, the left ovary and its pedicle were removed together with an aortic patch which included the orifice of the ovarian artery. The aortic patch was inlaid into the carotid artery to provide the arterial supply to the transplanted ovary; venous drainage was achieved by end-to-side anastomosis of the termination of the middle uterine vein to the jugular vein. The right ovary was removed. The transplanted ovary was shown to have an unimpaired circulation. Ovarian function was demonstrated by histological and behavioural evidence, and by demonstration of a cyclical secretion of progesterone. The rate of progesterone secretion was < 5 μg./hr. at oestrus and rose to approximately 200 μg./hr. in the luteal phase of the cycle which is within the range reported for the ovary in situ.