0000000000512769
AUTHOR
Caiza A. Wranning
Pregnancy after syngeneic uterus transplantation and spontaneous mating in the rat.
BACKGROUND: Uterus transplantation (UTx) research aims towards the introduction of UTx as a treatment for uterine factor infertility. The rat model is the principal rodent model used and this study aims to assess the potential for pregnancy and to assess effects on pregnancy outcome. METHODS: Female Lewis rats underwent hysterectomy and received syngeneic uterine transplants (with one horn removed) by end-to-side anastomosis between the common iliac vessels of the recipient and the graft. The graft was placed in an orthotopic position with anastomosis to the upper part of the native uterine horn and vagina to allow for pregnancy by mating. Controls had only one uterine horn removed. Mating …
Uterine rejection after allogeneic uterus transplantation in the rat is effectively suppressed by tacrolimus
Objective To evaluate the effects of the immunosuppressant tacrolimus on rejection of a transplanted uterus and on uterine expression of markers of inflammation and implantation. Design Experimental study. Setting University laboratory. Animal(s) Female rats. Intervention(s) Uteri from brown Norway rats were transplanted to Lewis rats, receiving either tacrolimus or no treatment. Sham groups underwent either hemihysterectomy or tacrolimus treatment. Main Outcome Measure(s) Gross morphology, histology, density of T-lymphocytes by immunohistochemistry, and mRNA levels of interleukin (IL)-1α, leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF), galectin-1, CD200, IL-15, interferon-inducible protein-10 (IP-10), a…