Suitability of fetal tissues from spontaneous abortions and from ectopic pregnancies for transplantation. Human Fetal Tissue Working Group.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the potential availability and utility of fetal tissues obtained from spontaneous abortions and from ectopic pregnancies for human transplantation therapy.


METHODS
Tissue collection and analysis by personnel skilled in tissue banking.


METHODS
Procurement programs in five tissue banks located in diverse geographical areas that are funded by the National Institutes of Health.


METHODS
All women entering obstetric clinics during 1993 who consented to participate in the study.


METHODS
None.


METHODS
Evaluation of the products of conception by standard developmental, histological, microbiological, and cytogenetic criteria.


RESULTS
From 22,235 obstetric admissions, 1250 spontaneously aborted embryos and 247 products of ectopic pregnancies were obtained. Of these, seven embryos (0.5%) were potentially useful for human transplantation therapy.


CONCLUSIONS
Fetal tissues from spontaneous abortions and from ectopic pregnancies are quite limited as feasible sources for human transplantation therapy.
Branch
D W
DW
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City.
Ducat
L
L
Fantel
A
A
Low
W C
WC
Zhou
F C
FC
Dayton
D H
DH
Gill
T J
TJ
D037881:Aborted Fetus; D000022:Abortion, Spontaneous; D005260:Female; D033042:Fetal Research; D016332:Fetal Tissue Transplantation; D006801:Humans; D011247:Pregnancy; D011271:Pregnancy, Ectopic; D014015:Tissue Banks; D009927:Tissue and Organ Procurement