Martin Maraschio, Jose Sad Larcher, Alvaro Alcaraz, Enzo Giordano, Santiago Reimondez, Oscar Luján, Marcelo Iraci, José Sereno, Analía Priotto, Olga Domínguez, Pablo Valle, Maximiliano Abrego, Soledad Rubio, Cristian Lamberto, Eduardo Villada
JBRA Assist. Reprod. 2021; 25 (4):557-562
Received November 26, 2020
Accepted September 29, 2021
Abstract
Objective: to develop a sheep autologous uterus transplantation (UT) program with an innovative surgical technique and demonstration of long term uterus vitality and animal survival.
Methods: a novel surgical technique consisting in complete uterus and both ovaries procurement, vascular reconstruction in back table and subsequent implantation in the same animal, performing only two arterial and two venous anastomoses.
Results: four auto transplantations were performed; anesthesia and surgery were well tolerated by all the animals without complications. Uterus vitality was confirmed by direct observation and Doppler US a week after UT and laparoscopy three months later. All animals are still alive, more than one year after transplantation.
Conclusion: our study provides a novel surgical technique for uterus auto-transplantation in sheep for the first time in Latin America, showing long-term animal survival and uterus vitality.
