Rodent Animal Research in UTx

The rodents, mouse, and rat represent well-characterized animal sources for basic research in any field of biological sciences. The animals are cheap compared to other type of animals, easy to husbandry, and are extremely well characterized from genetic and physiology point of views, especially when it comes to immunological and reproductive aspects. Availability of gene-modified strains, easy embryo transfer, and the accessibility of specific recombinant proteins and monoclonal antibodies are further advantages. Hence, the first experiments done in the modern era of uterus transplantation used mouse and rat as the main animal models. In this chapter, we describe important key steps of the …

First clinical uterus transplantation trial: a six-month report.

Objective To report the 6-month results of the first clinical uterus transplantation (UTx) trial. This type of transplantation may become a treatment of absolute uterine-factor infertility (AUFI). Design Prospective observational study. Setting University hospital. Patient(s) Nine AUFI women and their live uterine donors, the majority being mothers. Intervention(s) Live-donor UTx and low-dose induction immunosuppression. Main Outcome Measure(s) Data from preoperative investigations, surgery and follow-up for 6 months. Result(s) Durations of donor and recipient surgery ranged from 10 to 13 hours and from 4 to 6 hours, respectively. No immediate perioperative complications occurred in any of …

Ethics of uterus transplantation with live donors.