1. Fertil Steril. 2009 Jul;92(1):374-81. Epub 2008 Aug 9.

Electron paramagnetic resonance as a tool to evaluate human ovarian tissue
reoxygenation after xenografting.

Van Eyck AS, Jordan BF, Gallez B, Heilier JF, Van Langendonckt A, Donnez J.

Department of Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, Université catholique de Louvain, 
Louvain, Cliniques Universitaires St. Luc, Avenue Hippocrate 10, Brussels,
Belgium.

OBJECTIVE: To develop electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) oximetry as a tool to
characterize the oxygen environment in human ovarian xenografts in the early
postgrafting period. DESIGN: Prospective experimental study. SETTING: Gynecology 
research unit in a university hospital. PATIENT(S): Biopsies were obtained from 6
women aged 22-35 years. INTERVENTION(S): Frozen-thawed human ovarian tissue
fragments were grafted to an intraperitoneal site in nude mice. Before grafting, 
lithium phthalocyanine, an oxygen reporter, was implanted inside the fragments.
MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): To monitor partial pressure of oxygen (pO(2)) by EPR on 
postgrafting days 3, 5, 7, 10, 14, 17, and 21 and validate the technique by
histologic assessment. RESULT(S): A period of hypoxia was identified before day
5, followed by gradual but significant oxygenation over the next 5 days,
suggesting an active process of graft revascularization. Reoxygenation kinetics
in human ovarian xenotransplants were quantified. CONCLUSION(S): Our data
validated the EPR oximetry technique as a tool to monitor pO(2) in ovarian
grafting. The critical early period of hypoxia was identified, and the first
steps of reoxygenation were characterized. In the future, our model may be used
to evaluate new freezing and grafting protocols with the aim of reducing
potential cryoinjury and initial ischemia-reperfusion damage.

PMID: 18692811 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]