Test of long‐term uterine survival after allogeneic transplantation in rabbits. Issue 3 (10th December 2013)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Saso, Srdjan; Hurst, Simon; Chatterjee, Jayanta; Kuzmin, Eugene; Thum, Yau; David, Anna L.; Hakim, Nadey; Corless, David J.; Boyd, Michael; Noakes, David E.; Lindsay, Iain; Ghaem‐Maghami, Sadaf; Del Priore, Giuseppe; Smith, J. Richard
• Is Part Of: Journal of obstetrics and gynaecology research. Volume 40:Issue 3(2014:Mar.)
• Page Start: 754
• Page End: 762
• Publication Date: 2013-12-10
• Subjects: Gynecology -- Periodicals; Obstetrics -- Periodicals; 618.1005
• DOI: 10.1111/jog.12256
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1341-8076

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main"> <title>Abstract</title> <sec id="jog12256-sec-0001" sec-type="section"> <title>Aim</title> <p>To see if: (i) a large vessel aortocaval vascular patch technique may bring about long‐term graft survival after allogeneic uterine transplantation (UTn) in a rabbit model; and (ii) fertility can be achieved following natural mating post‐allogeneic UTn.</p> </sec> <sec id="jog12256-sec-0002" sec-type="section"> <title>Methods</title> <p>Allogeneic uterine cross transplantations were performed in New Zealand white rabbits using an aortocaval macrovascular patch harvested as part of the uterine allograft. Five rabbit recipients received a uterine graft from five unrelated donor rabbits. All female rabbits were unrelated and were of proven fertility with at least one previous litter each. Tacrolimus was administrated for immunosuppression post‐transplant. Natural mating was attempted if long‐term survival had been achieved. The main outcome measures were: (i) long‐term recipient survival; (ii) long‐term adequate uterine perfusion; and (iii) successful pregnancy post‐UTn.</p> </sec> <sec id="jog12256-sec-0003" sec-type="section"> <title>Results</title> <p>All five recipient animals survived the surgery with satisfactory immediate postoperative recovery. Recipients 1, 2 and 4 died within the first 4 postoperative days. Both long‐term survivors failed to conceive following introduction of a proven male breeder despite evidence of mating. Necropsy at 9 and 11 months showed a lack of patency of uterine cornua at the point of anastomosis, albeit a small uterus in recipient 3 and a reddish brown amorphous material at the site of the transplanted uterus in recipient 5.</p> </sec> <sec id="jog12256-sec-0004" sec-type="section"> <title>Conclusion</title> <p>We have demonstrated the feasibility of uterine allotransplantation using a macrovascular patch technique, but could not demonstrate conception because of blocked cornua. To address this, we propose using embryo transfer techniques in order to achieve conception.</p> </sec> </abstract>