Human endometriotic xenografts in immunodeficient RAG-2/gamma(c)KO mice.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to create a novel animal model for studies of endometriosis.

Study Design: To facilitate the study of the transplantation of endometriosis into immunodeficient RAG-2/gamma(c)KO mice, endometriosis biopsy specimens were collected from 19 women by laparoscopic surgery and grafted subcutaneously into the mice, which were treated subsequently with estradiol and progesterone to create 28-day artificial cycles. The grafts were collected during the first, second, and fourth cycles and were evaluated histologically for evidence of bleeding and immunocytochemically for estrogen receptor and progesterone receptor.