Sheep Model for Uterine Transplantation: The Best Option Before Starting a Human Program

Authors

  • Wellington Andraus Universidade de São Paulo; Departamento de Gastroenterologia, Divisão de Transplante de Orgãos Digestivos
  • Dani Ejzenberg Universidade de São Paulo; Departamento de Ginecologia
  • Rafael Miyashiro Nunes dos Santos Universidade de São Paulo; Departamento de Gastroenterologia, Divisão de Transplante de Orgãos Digestivos
  • Luana Regina Baratelli Carelli Mendes Universidade de São Paulo; Departamento de Gastroenterologia, Divisão de Transplante de Orgãos Digestivos
  • Rubens Macedo Arantes Universidade de São Paulo; Departamento de Gastroenterologia, Divisão de Transplante de Orgãos Digestivos
  • Edmund Chada Baracat Universidade de São Paulo; Departamento de Ginecologia
  • Luiz Augusto Carneiro D’Albuquerque Universidade de São Paulo; Departamento de Gastroenterologia, Divisão de Transplante de Orgãos Digestivos

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.6061/clinics/2017(03)08

Keywords:

Uterine transplantation, Uterus, Transplantation, Sheep, Infertility

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: This study reports the first four cases of a uterine transplant procedure conducted in sheep in Latin America. The aim of this study was to evaluate the success of uterine transplantation in sheep. METHOD: The study was conducted at Laboratory of Medical Investigation 37 (LIM 37) at the University of São Paulo School of Medicine. Four healthy mature ewes weighing 40-60 kg were used as both the donor and recipient for a transplant within the same animal (auto-transplant). Institutional guidelines for the care of experimental animals were followed. RESULTS: The first two cases of auto-transplant were performed to standardize the technique. After complete uterine mobilization and isolation of the blood supply, the unilateral vascular pedicle was sectioned and anastomosed on the external iliac vessels. After standardization, the protocol was implemented. Procurement surgery was performed without complications or bleeding. After isolation of uterine arteries and veins as well as full mobilization of the uterus, ligation of the distal portion of the internal iliac vessels was performed with subsequent division and end-to-side anastomosis of the external iliac vessels. After vaginal anastomosis, the final case presented with arterial thrombosis in the left uterine artery. The left uterine artery anastomosis was re-opened and flushed with saline solution to remove the clot from the artery lumen. Anastomosis was repeated with restoration of blood flow for a few minutes before another uterine artery thrombosis appeared on the same side. All four animals were alive after the surgical procedure and were euthanized after the experimental period. CONCLUSION: We describe the success of four uterine auto-transplants in sheep models.

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Published

2017-03-01

Issue

Section

Basic Research

How to Cite

Sheep Model for Uterine Transplantation: The Best Option Before Starting a Human Program. (2017). Clinics, 72(3), 178-182. https://doi.org/10.6061/clinics/2017(03)08