This Article Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by MUSSETT, M. V. Articles by PARROTT, D. M. V. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by MUSSETT, M. V. Articles by PARROTT, D. M. V.

FACTORS AFFECTING THE FERTILITY OF MICE WITH ORTHOTOPIC OVARIAN GRAFTS

Summary.: Female mice of four different strains were sterilized by X-irradiation and received orthotopic grafts of ovarian tissue from donors of the same strain.

A linear relationship was demonstrated between log. age and the number of oocytes in both normal ovaries and orthotopically grafted ovarian tissue of G strain (CBA/Fa-a^t) mice. It was calculated from the regressions that an average of 65% of the oocytes in the implanted tissue was lost within a few days of grafting. However, the subsequent rate of oocyte loss was reduced so that the potential reproductive life of the recipient mice was not drastically shortened.

The average size of litters born to graft recipients was less than that recorded in normal mice with the same number of oocytes. It was considered that obstruction or splitting of the ovarian capsules of the grafted animals resulted in the loss of many ova. Shortage of oocytes or mature follicles did not appear to be a major factor in determining litter size.

Other variables, including the interval between sterilization of recipients by X-irradiation and grafting, the age of donors and the volume of graft material, were also investigated in relation to the fertility of the grafted mice. Increased foetal resorption in two strains was noted.