Transplantation of the uterus in sheep: methodology and early reperfusion events.

Aim: Uterine transplantation is developing into a clinical treatment for uterine factor infertility. An animal model with a similar uterus size and vessels to humans and with pregnancy extending over several months would be beneficial for research on uterine transplantation. The aim of this study was to develop and evaluate autotransplantation of the sheep uterus to an orthotopic position in the pelvis.

Auto-transplantation of the uterus in the domestic pig (Sus scrofa): Surgical technique and early reperfusion events.

Aim: To develop a method for auto-transplantation of the uterus in the pig and to evaluate the early reperfusion events after short-term cold ischemia.

Methods: The bicornate uterus, with the cervix but without ovaries, was dissected and isolated with its bilateral feeding and draining vessels. The uterine arteries were cannulated in situ and the uterus was flushed with heparinized Ringer Acetate.

Successful uterine transplantation in the mouse: pregnancy and post-natal development of offspring.

Background: Uterine transplantation could serve as a tool in studies of the physiology of implantation/pregnancy, and is also a possible future treatment for patients with absolute uterine infertility. Here, the first live-born offspring in any uterine transplantation model is reported.

Methods: A syngeneic mouse model with a uterus transplanted, by end-to-side aorta/vena cava vascular anastomoses, alongside the native uterus was used.

Uterine transplantation.

Uterine factor infertility is either due to congenital malformation or acquired. Most women with uterine factor infertility have no chance to become genetic mothers, except by the use of gestational surrogacy. The logical but radical approach for treatment would be replacement of the unfunctional or absent uterus.

Transplantation of the uterus.

Most women with uterine factor infertility have today no prospect of carrying a pregnancy to term. The development of a method for transplantation of the human uterus would be a means for many of these women to become both genetic and gestational mothers. In this article we review the literature concerning the history and recent development in the area of uterine transplantation.