A new bicornuate model of rat uterus transplantation

Abstract Introduction Uterus transplantation has revolutionized reproductive medicine for women with absolute uterine factor infertility, resulting in more than 40 reported successful live births worldwide to date. Small animal models are pivotal to refine this surgical and immunological challenging...

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Main Authors: Dietrich Polenz, Igor Maximilian Sauer, Friederike Martin, Anja Reutzel‐Selke, Muhammad Imtiaz Ashraf, Anja Schirmeier, Steffen Lippert, Kirsten Führer, Johann Pratschke, Stefan Günther Tullius, Simon Moosburner
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2025-03-01
Series:Acta Obstetricia et Gynecologica Scandinavica
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1111/aogs.14857
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author Dietrich Polenz
Igor Maximilian Sauer
Friederike Martin
Anja Reutzel‐Selke
Muhammad Imtiaz Ashraf
Anja Schirmeier
Steffen Lippert
Kirsten Führer
Johann Pratschke
Stefan Günther Tullius
Simon Moosburner
author_facet Dietrich Polenz
Igor Maximilian Sauer
Friederike Martin
Anja Reutzel‐Selke
Muhammad Imtiaz Ashraf
Anja Schirmeier
Steffen Lippert
Kirsten Führer
Johann Pratschke
Stefan Günther Tullius
Simon Moosburner
author_sort Dietrich Polenz
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Introduction Uterus transplantation has revolutionized reproductive medicine for women with absolute uterine factor infertility, resulting in more than 40 reported successful live births worldwide to date. Small animal models are pivotal to refine this surgical and immunological challenging procedure aiming to enhance safety for both the mother and the child. Material and Methods We established a syngeneic bicornuate uterus transplantation model in young female Lewis rats. All surgical procedures were conducted by an experienced and skilled microsurgeon who organized the learning process into multiple structured steps. Animals underwent meticulous preoperative preparation and postoperative care. Transplant success was monitored by sequential biopsies, monitoring graft viability and documenting histological changes long‐term. Results Bicornuate uterus transplantation were successfully established achieving an over 70% graft survival rate with the passage of time. The bicornuate model demonstrated safety and feasibility, yielding outcomes comparable to the unicornuate model in terms of ischemia times and complications. Longitudinal biopsies were well‐tolerated, enabling comprehensive monitoring throughout the study. Conclusions Our novel bicornuate rat uterus transplantation model provides a distinctive opportunity for sequential biopsies at various intervals after transplantation and, therefore, comprehensive monitoring of graft health, viability, and identification of potential signs of rejection. Furthermore, this model allows for different interventions in each horn for comparative studies without interobserver differences contrary to the established unicornuate model. By closely replicating the clinical setting, this model stands as a valuable tool for ongoing research in the field of uterus transplantation, promoting further innovation and deeper insights into the intricacies of the uterus transplant procedure.
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spelling doaj-art-816f6a7021104fd0adc8e32cd4e425962025-08-20T03:31:00ZengWileyActa Obstetricia et Gynecologica Scandinavica0001-63491600-04122025-03-01104345246010.1111/aogs.14857A new bicornuate model of rat uterus transplantationDietrich Polenz0Igor Maximilian Sauer1Friederike Martin2Anja Reutzel‐Selke3Muhammad Imtiaz Ashraf4Anja Schirmeier5Steffen Lippert6Kirsten Führer7Johann Pratschke8Stefan Günther Tullius9Simon Moosburner10Department of Surgery, Experimental Surgery Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt‐Universität zu Berlin Berlin GermanyDepartment of Surgery, Experimental Surgery Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt‐Universität zu Berlin Berlin GermanyDepartment of Surgery, Experimental Surgery Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt‐Universität zu Berlin Berlin GermanyDepartment of Surgery, Experimental Surgery Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt‐Universität zu Berlin Berlin GermanyDepartment of Surgery, Experimental Surgery Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt‐Universität zu Berlin Berlin GermanyDepartment of Surgery, Experimental Surgery Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt‐Universität zu Berlin Berlin GermanyDepartment of Surgery, Experimental Surgery Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt‐Universität zu Berlin Berlin GermanyDepartment of Surgery, Experimental Surgery Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt‐Universität zu Berlin Berlin GermanyDepartment of Surgery, Experimental Surgery Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt‐Universität zu Berlin Berlin GermanyDivision of Transplant Surgery, Department of Surgery, Brigham and Women's Hospital Harvard Medical School Boston Massachusetts USADepartment of Surgery, Experimental Surgery Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt‐Universität zu Berlin Berlin GermanyAbstract Introduction Uterus transplantation has revolutionized reproductive medicine for women with absolute uterine factor infertility, resulting in more than 40 reported successful live births worldwide to date. Small animal models are pivotal to refine this surgical and immunological challenging procedure aiming to enhance safety for both the mother and the child. Material and Methods We established a syngeneic bicornuate uterus transplantation model in young female Lewis rats. All surgical procedures were conducted by an experienced and skilled microsurgeon who organized the learning process into multiple structured steps. Animals underwent meticulous preoperative preparation and postoperative care. Transplant success was monitored by sequential biopsies, monitoring graft viability and documenting histological changes long‐term. Results Bicornuate uterus transplantation were successfully established achieving an over 70% graft survival rate with the passage of time. The bicornuate model demonstrated safety and feasibility, yielding outcomes comparable to the unicornuate model in terms of ischemia times and complications. Longitudinal biopsies were well‐tolerated, enabling comprehensive monitoring throughout the study. Conclusions Our novel bicornuate rat uterus transplantation model provides a distinctive opportunity for sequential biopsies at various intervals after transplantation and, therefore, comprehensive monitoring of graft health, viability, and identification of potential signs of rejection. Furthermore, this model allows for different interventions in each horn for comparative studies without interobserver differences contrary to the established unicornuate model. By closely replicating the clinical setting, this model stands as a valuable tool for ongoing research in the field of uterus transplantation, promoting further innovation and deeper insights into the intricacies of the uterus transplant procedure.https://doi.org/10.1111/aogs.14857bicornuate uterusratuterus transplantation
spellingShingle Dietrich Polenz
Igor Maximilian Sauer
Friederike Martin
Anja Reutzel‐Selke
Muhammad Imtiaz Ashraf
Anja Schirmeier
Steffen Lippert
Kirsten Führer
Johann Pratschke
Stefan Günther Tullius
Simon Moosburner
A new bicornuate model of rat uterus transplantation
Acta Obstetricia et Gynecologica Scandinavica
bicornuate uterus
rat
uterus transplantation
title A new bicornuate model of rat uterus transplantation
title_full A new bicornuate model of rat uterus transplantation
title_fullStr A new bicornuate model of rat uterus transplantation
title_full_unstemmed A new bicornuate model of rat uterus transplantation
title_short A new bicornuate model of rat uterus transplantation
title_sort new bicornuate model of rat uterus transplantation
topic bicornuate uterus
rat
uterus transplantation
url https://doi.org/10.1111/aogs.14857
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