Therapeutic Ultrasound Examination of Follicular Reserve, and Ovarian Tissue Angiogenesis in Mice, 14 Days after Heterotopic Transplantation

One of the challenges facing ovarian transplantation is overcoming the ischemia/ reperfusion injury. When blood supply to the implanted tissue is suboptimal (immediate post implant period)، ultrasound therapy has been shown to increase mass transport. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of ultrasound on heterotopic transplantation of mouse ovarian tissue.

Adult female NMRI mice were selected and divided into the control، sham and experimental groups. In the experimental group، left ovarian tissue، after auto transplantation into the back muscle، underwent ultrasound exposure with intensity of 0. 3 w/cm2، frequency of 3MHz & pulse mode of 1:4، for five minutes daily. The transplanted ovaries were removed and immediately fixed for histological study. Furthermore، rate of angiogenesis was assessed by immunohistochemistry Cd31 test.

The study results showed that the CD31 angiogenic factor was expressed more in the irradiated animals than in control group animals and ultrasound-therapy resulted in better follicular preservation.

The ultrasound therapy can improve preservation of ovarian follicle. This is probably due to acceleration of angiogenesis and increase in production of growth factors by low intensity pulse ultrasound.