Ischemia-reperfusion (IR) injury is a major limitation of ovarian transplantation which threatens the follicular and graft survival. Taurine as a potent anti-oxidant, anti-apoptotic and anti-inflammatory agent, can prevent graft damages due to IR. We aimed to investigate the effect of taurine on the follicular survival and function of autotransplanted mouse ovaries. Female mice (4–5 weeks old) were divided into: control, autograft and auto- graft + taurine (200 mg/kg/day). The level of CD31 expression was evaluated two days (48 h) post trans- plantation. In addition, on day 7 post transplantation the serum levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) and the total antioxidant capacity (TAC) were assessed. Also, 28 days post transplantation; ovaries were studied stereologi- cally and the percentage of apoptotic follicles, level of GDF9 expression and the serum concentrations of pro- gesterone and estradiol were measured. Data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA and Tukey’s test and the means were considered significantly different at P < 0.05. The total volume of the ovary (P < 0.01), volume of the cortex (P < 0.01) and medulla (P < 0.04), total number of different types of follicles, expression of GDF9 and CD31 and also the levels of progesterone, estradiol and TAC increased significantly in the autograft + taurine group compared to the autograft group (P < 0.001). The MDA level and apoptosis rate decreased significantly in the autograft + taurine group compared to the autograft group (P < 0.001). Taurine could significantly improve follicular survival and the function of grafted ovaries by accelerating the angiogenesis and reducing oxidative stress and apoptosis.
