Experimental Static Cold Storage of the Rat Uterus: Protective Effects of Relaxin- or Erythropoietin-Supplemented HTK-N Solutions

Uterus transplantation (UTx) is the only treatment method for women with absolute uterine infertility. Currently, the number of grafts retrieved from deceased donors is increasing; hence, prolonged cold ischemia time is inevitable. Thus, this study was designed to assess the effect of the novel rela...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Biomedicines 2022-10, Vol.10 (11), p.2730
Main Authors: Jakubauskiene, Lina, Jakubauskas, Matas, Razanskiene, Gintare, Leber, Bettina, Ramasauskaite, Diana, Strupas, Kestutis, Stiegler, Philipp, Schemmer, Peter
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
animal model
Cell number
Cold storage
Cryopreservation
Erythropoietin
Fentanyl
Infertility
Ischemia
Lipid peroxidation
Lipids
Morphology
Open source software
Oxidative stress
Physiological aspects
Preservatives
Relaxin
Statistical analysis
Surrogate mothers
Transplantation
Transplants & implants
Uterus
Womens health
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Summary:Uterus transplantation (UTx) is the only treatment method for women with absolute uterine infertility. Currently, the number of grafts retrieved from deceased donors is increasing; hence, prolonged cold ischemia time is inevitable. Thus, this study was designed to assess the effect of the novel relaxin (RLN)- or erythropoietin (EPO)-supplemented Custodiol-N (HTK-N) solutions in an experimental uterus static cold storage (SCS) model. A total of 15 Sprague Dawley rats were used. Uterus horns were randomly assigned into three groups (n = 10/group). SCS was performed by keeping samples at 4 °C in HTK-N solution without or with different additives: 10 IU/mL EPO or 20 nM RLN. Tissue samples were taken after 8 and 24 h of preservation. Uterine tissue histology, and biochemical and immunohistochemical markers were analyzed. No significant differences in SCS-induced tissue damage were observed between groups after 8 h of preservation. Uterine tissue histology, MDA, SOD levels and the TUNEL-positive cell number showed severe damage in HTK-N without additives after 24 h of preservation. This damage was significantly attenuated by adding RLN to the preservation solution. EPO showed no favorable effect. Our study shows that RLN as an additive to an HTK-N solution can serve as an effective uterine tissue preservative in the uterus SCS setting.
ISSN:2227-9059
2227-9059
DOI:10.3390/biomedicines10112730