Regeneration of Uterine Horn Using Porcine Small Intestinal Submucosa Grafts in Rabbits

Abstract

Tubal factor infertility may be reversed using porcine small-intestinal submucosa (SIS). The method uses as a model the New Zealand White rabbit uerine horn. In surgery, SIS grafts were prepared from porcine jejunum; the uterine horn segment was resected and a graft was placed; then the contralateral adnexa was resected. Fecundability was tested with natural mating. Three out of six rabbits became pregnant. Gross and microscopic examination confirmed regeneration of all tissue layers. Thus, this study determined that SIS facilitates successful regeneration of uterine horn morphology in a manner similar to that observed in other tissues and species.

• bioprosthesis
• blood vessel prosthesis
• infertility
• jejunum
• reproductive endocrinology
• SIS
• small-intestinal