Uterus Transplantation

 

Context

Recently, UK has successfully performed its first uterus transplant, offering new hope to women grappling with reproductive issues.

• Status in India: India celebrated its first uterine transplant baby in 2018, just 17 months after the procedure, joining Turkey, Sweden, and the United States in successful uterus transplants.

What is a Uterus Transplant?

1. About: A uterine transplant is a surgical procedure whereby a healthy uterus is transplanted into an organism of which the uterus is absent or diseased.
   • • Uterus transplants, unlike heart or liver transplants, are not life-saving but rather improve the quality of individuals' lives, similar to limb or skin transplants.

2. Step-by-Step Procedure:

   • • Recipient Evaluation: Prior to transplantation, recipients undergo comprehensive assessments to evaluate their physical and mental well-being.
     • Donor Assessment: The donor's uterus undergoes viability checks and comprehensive gynecological examinations, including imaging scans and cancer screenings, before qualifying for donation.

 

• • • Harvesting and Transplantation: Robot-assisted laparoscopy advancements make the donor's uterus removal procedure less invasive, while re-establishing critical connections and uterine vasculature during transplantation.

 

3. Post-Transplant Pregnancy:

   • • Success is determined through three stages:

• The study focuses on assessing the viability of grafts within the initial three months.
• The assessment of uterus function is typically conducted between six months and one year.
• In vitro fertilization is a method of attempting pregnancy, but it comes with higher risks such as rejection or complications.
• The final stage of success is a successful childbirth.
  • • • Regular check-ups are crucial to prevent risks such as rejection, abortion, low birth weight, and premature birth.

Issues with such transplants

1. 1. 1. Challenges and Risks: Uterine transplant pregnancy increases risk of rejection, spontaneous abortion, intrauterine complications, low birth weight, and premature birth, necessitating close monitoring and follow-ups.
      2. Immunosuppressant Use: Recipients of transplanted uterus require immune-suppressing drugs to prevent rejection, avoiding side effects like kidney toxicity, bone marrow issues, diabetes, and cancer.
      3. Long-Term Follow-Ups: Post-uterus removal, it is recommended that recipients undergo regular follow-ups for at least a decade to monitor the long-term effects of immunosuppressant drugs.

Way Forward

Researchers, at the University of Gothenburg, are working on bioengineered uteri. These are created using stem cells taken from a woman's blood or bone marrow as a foundation for a 3D scaffold.

1. 1. Preliminary experiments with rats shows promising result.
   2. Artificial uteri could eliminate the need for live donors, addressing ethical concerns and reducing potential risks to healthy individuals.
   3. Artificial uteri has the potential to benefit women experiencing infertility and members of the LGBTQ+ community.

Conclusion

Technologies like Artificial uteri offer exciting possibilities for reproductive medicine but require further research and development before becoming a practical solution for human reproduction.

 

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