Experimental uterus transplantation.

BACKGROUND

Uterus transplantation (UTx) is developed in animal models as a future method to treat uterine factor infertility.

METHODS

All published studies in the area of UTx research were identified. Aspects relating to surgery, cold-ischemia/reperfusion, rejection, immunosuppression, pregnancy, ethics and institutional requirements were examined.

RESULTS

Uterus retrieval surgery has been solved in animals, including primates. Studies on cold-ischemia/reperfusion indicate an ischemic tolerance of >24 h. The transplantation procedure, with vascular anastomosis, has not been fully developed in animal models, indicated by frequent thrombosis formation. Pregnancies have only been reported in syngenic/auto-UTx animal models. Several ethical issues in relation to UTx, and requirements for a team that would be suitable to undertake human UTx, exist.

CONCLUSION

Much research on UTx has been performed in appropriate animal models. Several aspects of the procedure have been optimized but some remain to be solved. It is predicted that the research will soon reach a stage that could merit introduction of human UTx as an experimental procedure.