Mouse-to-rat testicle transplantation

Orthotopic testicular transplantation in mice

A method of revascularized orthotopic testicular transplantation (OTT) was developed in mice. The left testis was selected as donor graft for the operation due to less variation in anatomy. There were three groups: 1) a control group (n=24), 2) a group of castrated mice (n=24), and 3) a group in which OTT (n=24) was performed. Morphologically, the transplanted testes showed active spermatogenesis and normal structure of epididymis at 4 and 5 weeks. The function of the transplants was examined by RIA at designed time points. LH, FSH, and testosterone showed return to normal levels at 4 weeks. To our knowledge, this is the first report of successful revascularized OTT in mice. The model may prove useful in research in reproductive medicine, especially using knockout and transgenic mice.