Journal of Capital Medical University ›› 2026, Vol. 47 ›› Issue (4): 658-664.doi: 10.3969/j.issn.1006-7795.2026.04.004

Previous Articles     Next Articles

Effects of estrogen replacement therapy on the recovery of endocrine function after xenotransplantation of human ovarian tissue in nude mice

Jiang Lingling1, Ruan Xiangyan1,2*, Du Juan1, Liu Anming1, Cheng Jiaojiao1, Gu Muqing1, Li Yanglu1, Zhang Mingzhen1, Wang Zecheng1, Li Yanqiu1 , Alfred O.Mueck1,2   

  1. 1.Department of Gynecological Endocrinology，Beijing Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Capital Medical University. Beijing Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital, Beijing 100026, China; 2.Department of Women's Health,  Research Centre for Women's Health and University Women's Hospital of Tuebingen， University Hospitals of Tuebingen, Tuebingen D-72076, Germany
  • Received:2026-04-09 Revised:2026-04-21 Online:2026-08-21 Published:2026-07-26
  • Supported by:
    This study was supported by Beijing Municipal Administration of Hospitals “Dengfeng” Talent Training Program (DFL20181401)， Beijing Municipal Health Commission Demonstration Construction Project of Research-Oriented Wards: Clinical Promotion Research on Fertility Preservation and Ovarian Tissue Cryopreservation and Transplantation Technology (BCRW202109)， National Foreign Experts Individual Project, Establishment of Fertility Preservation and Consultation Center for Gynecological Endocrine Difficult Diseases (S20240236), National Foreign Experts Individual Project, Construction of National Female Ovarian Preservation and Anti-aging Promotion Project (S20240230).

PDF

10

Abstract: Objective  To investigate the effects of estrogen replacement therapy (ERT) on the recovery of ovarian endocrine function after human ovarian tissue xenotransplantation in nude mice. Methods  Female BALB/c nude mice aged 6-8 weeks were subjected to bilateral ovariectomy to establish a castrated model. Except for the control group, all mice underwent xenotransplantation of human ovarian cortical tissue under the renal capsule. ERT was administered via subcutaneous implantation of 17β-estradiol slow-release pellets (0.72 mg/pellet). Animals were divided into four groups according to the timing of estrogen intervention: pre-transplant estrogen pretreatment (Pre-ERT), continuous estrogen treatment (C-ERT), no estrogen treatment (No-ERT), and control group. Serum samples were collected at days 7 and 21 after transplantation, and levels of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), estradiol (E2), and anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) were measured using ELISA. Results  At day 7, serum FSH levels in the control group were significantly higher than those in all transplantation groups, while the Pre-ERT group showed lower FSH levels than the No-ERT group. The C-ERT group exhibited the highest E2 levels, with all transplantation groups showing elevated E2 levels compared to the control group. AMH levels in the C-ERT group were higher than those in the No-ERT group, with all transplantation groups showed higher AMH levels than the control group (all P < 0.05). At day 21, FSH levels in the control group remained higher than those in all transplantation groups. Both Pre-ERT and C-ERT groups showed higher E2 levels than the No-ERT and control groups. AMH levels in the C-ERT group were higher than those in the No-ERT group, and all transplantation groups showing higher AMH levels relative to the control group (all P < 0.05). Conclusion  ERT improves the recovery of endocrine function after ovarian tissue xenotransplantation. Continuous estrogen treatment appears to be more effective than pre-transplant pretreatment in maintaining E2 and AMH levels, possibly by improving the local microenvironment and supporting graft function.

Key words: ovarian tissue cryopreservation and transplantation, estrogen replacement therapy, anti-Müllerian hormone, nude mice, xenotransplantation, ovarian endocrine function

CLC Number: