Abstract
Homologous and autologous ovarian transplantation has been successfully accomplished in a variety of mammalian species. Sites have varied from orthotopic to general abdominal, to tail, ear, leg, and anterior chamber of the eye(l). Homologous orthotopic transplantation reestablished limited fertility in mice(2), and apparently normal cyclic ovarian periodicity in several other species for short durations. Newly established ovarian grafts respond characteristically to gonadotropins, may resume normal steroid synthesis for a short time, but soon begin to secrete excessive quantities of androgen after location in these peripheral sites. Under these conditions cyclic activity comes to a halt and investigation is limited to short-term experiments. In each of the grafting sites mentioned there also appears a limitation either of restricting the size which the graft may attain or difficulty in making direct observation of the transplant. The cheek pouch of the Syrian hamster (Mesocricetus auratus) provides excellent opportunity for both tissue growth and visual inspection of the graft throughout extended investigation. Results of our experience in transplanting ovaries to this site are reported herein.
The pouch was first used in 1951 for transplantation of neoplastic tissue (3) but more recently normal pancreas(4), oviduct(5), and uterus(6) have been accepted by this highly vascular area. Homologous grafts may persist indefinitely, and tissues from rat and rabbit continue to be supported for weeks. Even human tissue transplants have been maintained in the cheek-pouch for at least 45 days. As a partial explanation for the unique suitability of the pouch for transplantation studies, Shepro(y) has pointed to its alym-phatic nature and has suggested that outward diffusion of graft antigens may be slowed by the large quantity of dense connective tissue that makes up a major portion of the pouch's inter-membranous space.
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