Microsurgical heterotopic ovary transplantation. A preclinical study

: Free heterotopic autologous ovary transplantation might be a method to prevent iatrogenic radiocastration in case of Hodgkin's disease. Though first promising clinical case reports have been published, almost no experimental basic data are available. It was the aim of this study to develop a transplantation model in order to evaluate and improve operative technique and perioperative management preclinically. Whereas results in pilot transplantations on minipigs were impaired by the disposition to wound infections on the implantation site, transplantation on Beagle dogs proved to be a suitable model. Eleven transplantations have been performed (five in minipigs, six in Beagle dogs). The success rate of intact preserved transplants was 45% with an observation time of three months for the minipigs and 9 +/- 3.7 months for the dogs.