Publication Date

Summer 2014

Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Department

Biological Sciences

Advisor

Shelley Cargill

Keywords

angiogenesis, buprenorphine, meloxicam, ovary, transplant

Subject Areas

Physiology; Biology

Abstract

The formation of new blood vessels from pre-existing vasculature, termed angiogenesis, is essential for tissue viability and continuous organ function after murine ovary allotransplantation. Interference with the process of angiogenesis can result in cellular injury and tissue necrosis in the transplanted ovarian tissue. Although recommended, the use of analgesics for post-operative pain management has been shown to alter angiogenesis and could negatively affect transplanted ovarian tissue viability. The present study evaluated the effects of two analgesics, the opiate buprenorphine and the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug meloxicam, on superficial ovarian vessel formation after the transplantation of young ovaries into aged mice. One-Way ANOVA evaluation indicated a significant increase in total surface vessel number (p= 0.001) and total number of vessel branches (p= 0.027) in meloxicam-treated mice when compared to the saline control or buprenorphine-treated mice. Additionally, the meloxicam-treated mice showed a significantly greater concentration of vessels at an ovary surface depth of approximately 90 μm (p< 0.001) when compared to both saline control and buprenorphine-treated mice. These results suggest that meloxicam is a post-operative analgesic that could be used after ovary allotransplantation to limit disruptions in angiogenesis and to maximize vessel formation to establish successful ovary function.

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