Fertility after bilateral uterine artery embolization in a sheep model.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the impact of bilateral uterine artery embolization (UAE) upon fertility in sheep.


METHODS
Prospective study.


METHODS
University-based interventional radiology, pathology, and reproductive physiology units.


METHODS
Nineteen control ewes, 10 ewes embolized with polyvinyl alcohol particles (PVA group), and 10 ewes embolized with Tris-acryl gelatin microspheres (TGMS group).


METHODS
Bilateral UAE was performed with 600- to 1,000-mum PVA particles or 700- to 900-mum TGMS particles. Animals of three groups were synchronized and naturally inseminated.


METHODS
For each ewe, a hormonal follow-up was performed throughout the gestation. Gestation duration, number and weight of newborns, and fertility and gestation rates were recorded.


RESULTS
Mean number of estrus before insemination and gestation duration were not different between groups. There were 47 living newborns: 26 control, 9 PVA, and 12 TGMS. Overall birth weight of newborns was 3.7 +/- 0.9 kg for controls, 3.6 +/- 1.1 kg for TGMS, and 2.2 +/- 0.7 kg for PVA (which was statistically significant vs. control). In the PVA group, there was a statistically significant decrease of fertility rate and gestation rate vs. controls, but this was not the case in the TGMS group.


CONCLUSIONS
Particles of PVA decrease fertility in sheep and lead to intrauterine growth retardation.
Laurent
Alexandre
A
Department of Interventional Neuroradiology, Lariboisière Hospital, Paris, France. alex.laurent@lrb.aphp.fr
Pelage
Jean-Pierre
JP
Wassef
Michel
M
Martal
Jacques
J
D000180:Acrylic Resins / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000465:Algorithms; D000818:Animals; D000831:Animals, Newborn; D001158:Arteries / Q000601:surgery; D003267:Contraception / Q000379:methods*; D004621:Embolization, Therapeutic; D005260:Female; D005298:Fertility / Q000502:physiology*; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005780:Gelatin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D023421:Models, Animal; D011142:Polyvinyl Alcohol / Q000737:chemistry / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011247:Pregnancy; D018873:Pregnancy Rate; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012756:Sheep / Q000502:physiology*; D014599:Uterus / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000601:surgery
D000180:Acrylic Resins; C496735:trisacryl gelatin microspheres; D005780:Gelatin; D011142:Polyvinyl Alcohol