Uterus cryopreservation in the sheep: one step closer to uterus transplantation.
BACKGROUND
Uterus transplantation is the only way for women with no functional uterus to become pregnant. However, the technique is limited by the fact that an aggressive immunosuppression is necessary in order to avoid rejection of the graft. For better chances of finding a matching organ, which would minimize the immunosuppressive therapy, the establishment of cryobanks with a large number of uteri would be helpful. The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility to cryopreserve sheep uteri and to review the literature in this exciting new field of uterus cryopreservation and transplantation.


METHODS
Ten sheep uteri were frozen either with slow cooling after perfusion with 10% dimethylsulfoxide, or without perfusion and the contractile ability was compared with that of fresh uteri.


RESULTS
All perfused uteri showed contractions after thawing, similar to those of the non-frozen uteri.


CONCLUSIONS
This study shows that the perfusion of sheep uterus with a cryoprotectant prior to slow freezing allows the cryopreservation of the whole organ and maintains the functionality of the organ after thawing. The perfused sheep uterus provides an experimental model for further investigations with other cryoprotective agents and freezing protocols.
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Hospital Erlangen, University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, Universitaetsstrasse 21-23, D-91054 Erlangen, Germany. ralf.dittrich@uk-erlangen.de
Ralf
R
Dittrich
Theodoros
T
Maltaris
Andreas
A
Mueller
Olga
O
Strahl
Inge
I
Hoffmann
Matthias W
MW
Beckmann
Patricia G
PG
Oppelt
D000818:Animals; D002470:Cell Survival; D015925:Cryopreservation / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods / Q000639:trends; D003451:Cryoprotective Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D004121:Dimethyl Sulfoxide / Q000494:pharmacology; D005260:Female; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D016377:Organ Transplantation; D010120:Oxytocics / Q000494:pharmacology; D010121:Oxytocin / Q000494:pharmacology; D010477:Perfusion / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D011312:Pressure; D012756:Sheep; D014015:Tissue Banks / Q000639:trends*; D014590:Uterine Contraction / Q000187:drug effects; D014599:Uterus / Q000166:cytology* / Q000502:physiology / Q000637:transplantation*
D003451:Cryoprotective Agents; D010120:Oxytocics; D010121:Oxytocin; D004121:Dimethyl Sulfoxide