WOMEN WITH OVARIAN TRANSPLANTS TO SEE INCREASE IN LIFESPAN

Women Health | July 6, 2010

Women who opt for an ovary transplant may actually be rejuvenated thereafter. It may also have more than one good effect – they might see a significant increase in their lifespan as well.

It is a known fact that cancer therapy has a dampening effect on women’s health. It leaves them infertile. In the case of younger patients, the ovary tissue is collected and is frozen. This is done before the treatment; and post treatment, they are transplanted back in the hope of restoring fertility.

Study On Mice Brings Good News

The study that was conducted at the Kato Ladies’ Clinic in Tokyo has revealed that the mice that underwent an ovary transplant didn’t only restored their fertility, but were also seen to be highly energized and lengthened their lifespan.

Ovarian transplant According to the study leader, Dr. Noriko Kagawa; the surgery helped in increasing the lifespan of these rodents by a good 40%; which is a significant number.

The extra-benefit that was seen during the study, that of the heightened activity levels and increased lifespan, were completely and fully unexpected. They didn’t fall on the graph of what had been planned earlier. The study was being conducted purely with the intention of finding out whether or not the ovary transplants helped restore levels of fertility.

During The Study

The mice in the experiments had received ovary transplants; and had resumed behavior that is deemed normal of younger mice. They began showing interest in their male counterparts; they even mated and gave birth to pups.

Under normal circumstances, the rats that were older would have sat in one corner of the cage, without indulging in too many activities. But after undergoing this surgery, the older mice had begun to resume quick movements that may have been deemed difficult early on when they were younger.

It was also noted that mice who received two ovaries as opposed to one had seen an even better increase in their lifespan. The average life of a control mouse was seen to be at around 525 years; but the ones that received one ovary saw an increase to around 877 days. Those who underwent surgery to get 2 ovaries went on to live for around 915 days.

Why Did This Extra-benefit Arise?

Though the exact reasons for the increase in lifespan are still shrouded by doubt, it may have been on account of the continual functioning of hormones. The hormones were seen to function almost normally post the surgery. There will be a number of studies that will be conducted on this topic to see whether the results remain stable under different conditions as well.