Received May 05, 2001
Accepted May 24, 2001

The aim of this study was to check the viability of intraperitoneal ovarian autotransplantation in albine rats. Sixty female albine rats were shared in three groups. Group 1 (n=20) was submmited to ovariectomy. Group 2 (n=20) was shamoperated. Group 3 (n=20) received an autograft of an ovarian fragment, attached to the peritoneal surface, after ovariectomy. Vaginal smears were made daily, for 5 days, starting, at least, 8 days the surgery, in order to check the presence of oestral cycIes. One week after the end of the vaginal smears, the autografts were excised and histologicaly studied. Eighteen rats (90%) of the group 1 showed a persistent atrophic pattern in the vaginal smears. Two showed signs of cornification of the vaginal epithelium, but they did not present a complete oestral cycIe. Fifteen rats (75%) of group 2 presented a regular oestral cycIe and 5 (25%) showed irregular cycIes. Sixteen rats (80%) of group 3 showed regular oestral cycIes, and 4 (20%) animaIs had irregular cycIes.Using the logistic regression model, it was demonstrated no significant difference between group 2 and 3, in which concern the number of animaIs that presented irregular cycIes (p value = 0,4862). All but one graft had follicIes in all stages of development, incIuding advanced antral stages. It was also showed many corpora lutea in all grafts. It was conc1uded that i ntraperitoneal ovarian autotransplantation, in castrated female rats, restores the oestral cycIing and shows normal follicIe development.