Animal models in intrauterine adhesion research

Abstract

Intrauterine adhesion (IUA) is a gynaecological disease caused by uterine cavity surgeries and infections that leads to partial or total occlusion of the uterine cavity. However, the underlying mechanism(s) and progression of the disease have not yet been identified. IUA has a high recurrence rate and poor prognosis, and effective drugs to prevent adhesion are lacking. Therefore, establishing an effective animal model of IUA is of great significance for revealing the pathogenesis of IUA and the mechanism(s) governing drug effects. Rats, mice, rabbits, and other animals are currently used to establish intrauterine adhesion models. The IUA induction methods include chemical, thermal, or mechanical damage and mechanical damage combined with an infective method. We analysed the advantages and disadvantages of various models and their clinical simulations in order to provide a precise animal model for exploring the pathogenesis, treatment strategies, and prevention of IUA.

Keywords:

• Intrauterine adhesion
• animal model
• modelling methods
• endometrial damage

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the Guangxi Traditional Chinese Medicine Suitable Technology Development and Popularization Project under Grant GZSY21-55; and the Clinical Research Climbing Program of the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University Youth Science and Technology Star Project under Grant YYZS2020015.