ORTHOTOPIC OVARIAN GRAFTS IN THE GOLDEN HAMSTER

Abstract

SUMMARY: 1. Interstrain orthotopic ovarian homografts have been made between hamsters of two strains, golden and dark-eared albino, maintained at the National Institute for Medical Research. 2. The golden hamster recipients were sterilized with irradiation directed to the ovaries whilst the rest of the body was shielded with lead. 3. Ovaries from albino donors were grafted orthotopically into irradiated golden hamsters which were then paired with albino males. The genetic identification of young from the graft was possible; hybrid offspring between golden and albino hamsters are golden in colour so that any albino offspring must have been derived from the graft. 4. The homograft reaction between golden and albino hamsters was negligible; out of fifty grafted golden hamsters forty-five had established grafts and twenty-seven of them were fertile. Altogether forty litters, containing at least one offspring derived from a graft, were obtained. 5. The comparative importance of immunological and endocrine factors in the establishment of ovarian grafts and factors influencing the fertility of orthotopic ovarian grafts are discussed.