|
1
|
Polenz D, Sauer IM, Martin F, Reutzel-Selke A, Ashraf MI, Schirmeier A, Lippert S, Führer K, Pratschke J, Tullius SG, Moosburner S. A new bicornuate model of rat uterus transplantation. Acta Obstet Gynecol Scand 2024. [PMID: 38693698 DOI: 10.1111/aogs.14857] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2024] [Revised: 03/20/2024] [Accepted: 04/04/2024] [Indexed: 05/03/2024]
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.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dietrich Polenz
- Department of Surgery, Experimental Surgery, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Igor Maximilian Sauer
- Department of Surgery, Experimental Surgery, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Friederike Martin
- Department of Surgery, Experimental Surgery, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- Division of Transplant Surgery, Department of Surgery, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Anja Reutzel-Selke
- Department of Surgery, Experimental Surgery, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Muhammad Imtiaz Ashraf
- Department of Surgery, Experimental Surgery, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Anja Schirmeier
- Department of Surgery, Experimental Surgery, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Steffen Lippert
- Department of Surgery, Experimental Surgery, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Kirsten Führer
- Department of Surgery, Experimental Surgery, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Johann Pratschke
- Department of Surgery, Experimental Surgery, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Stefan Günther Tullius
- Division of Transplant Surgery, Department of Surgery, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Einstein Berlin Institute of Health Visiting Fellow, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Simon Moosburner
- Department of Surgery, Experimental Surgery, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- BIH Academy, Clinician Scientist Program, Berlin Institute of Health at Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
|
2
|
Badenoch H, Butler-Foster T, Gongal PA, West LJ. "Real Women": The Shared Responsibility to Use Gender-affirming Language. Transplantation 2024; 108:e20. [PMID: 38254282 DOI: 10.1097/tp.0000000000004854] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/24/2024]
Affiliation(s)
- Heather Badenoch
- Village PR, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- Canadian Donation and Transplantation Research Program, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | | | - Patricia A Gongal
- Canadian Donation and Transplantation Research Program, Edmonton, AB, Canada
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
- Alberta Transplant Institute, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Lori J West
- Canadian Donation and Transplantation Research Program, Edmonton, AB, Canada
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
- Alberta Transplant Institute, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| |
Collapse
|