Noninvasive assessment of ectopic uterine tissue development in rats using magnetic resonance imaging.
OBJECTIVE
To non-invasively characterize ectopic uterine tissue (EUT) development in a modified autologous rat surgical model of endometriosis using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).


METHODS
Investigational MRI study.


METHODS
A pharmaceutical company.


METHODS
Female Sprague Dawley rats.


METHODS
Uterine tissue was autotransplanted on the right peritoneal wall of rats. Rats were serially imaged after surgery and after endogenous hormone suppression, hormone supplementation, or ovariectomy. In addition, an MRI contrast agent was administered to examine EUT perfusion characteristics.


METHODS
Changes in transplanted EUT volume and perfusion were monitored using MRI.


RESULTS
The EUT growth could be readily monitored non-invasively by MRI. Although EUT growth was rapid during the initial 4 days after surgery, volume stabilized by the third week and maintained for at least 9 weeks after transplantation. The EUT volumes varied with the estrous cycle and were hormonally sensitive to ovariectomy, to Antide (GnRH antagonist), and to Antide followed by 17beta-E(2) supplementation. The use of an MRI contrast agent facilitated visualization of EUT wall perfusion.


CONCLUSIONS
MRI allows for noninvasive, dynamic evaluation of transplanted EUT growth in the rat. This reproducible model will allow for performing quantifiable pharmacologic studies in pre-clinical drug discovery for therapies targeting endometriosis.
Lenhard
Stephen C
SC
Cardiovascular and Urogenital Center for Excellence in Drug Discovery, GlaxoSmithKline King of Prussia, Pennsylvania 19406, USA.
Haimbach
Robin E
RE
Sulpizio
Anthony C
AC
Brooks
David P
DP
Bray
Jeffrey D
JD
Jucker
Beat M
BM
D000818:Animals; D002828:Choristoma / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology; D004715:Endometriosis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology; D030762:Estrous Cycle / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D010529:Peritoneal Cavity; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D014599:Uterus