A historical review of the literature concerning
replantation and
transplantation of reproductive organs has included studies from this laboratory, using rats, over the past 25 years. From the basic observation of ischemic and traumatic injury due to the
transplantation, syngeneic testicle transplants, resulting in a partner's impregnation and histological restoration of the testicles, led to human testicular
transplantation. As to the ovarian transplants, granulosa-
theca cell tumors may transform into
malignancies if followed for a prolonged period as intrasplenic ovaries, and high doses (15 to 20 mg/kg b.w.) of
azathioprine can produce such malignant
tumors in a shorter period. By caval-portal shunt, ovarian
hormones enter directly into the portal blood stream and no typical granulosa-
theca cell tumors were produced, owing to the fact that the liver cannot degrade all the
hormones secreted by both ovaries. While en-bloc vagino-utero-ovarian
transplantation in the rat is possible, no impregnation has been yet achieved. Finally, it is hypothesized that those who have acquired microsurgical techniques and have a full understanding of the anatomy of the reproductive system will not only be able to perform
replantation of the penis, but also will be capable of
allogeneic transplantation of genital organs, whether ethically approved or not, and sooner than one may think. In such cases a penile part may be obtained at a
sex-change surgery or from a cadaveric donor, similar to other vital
organ transplantation practices.