Where is the hope for infertility? One of the clinical solutions is uterine transplantation. How safe and effective is this regimen?
Recently, a research team from the University of Gothenburg, Sweden, published the results of the world's first complete uterine transplantation study in Fertility and Sterility, a long-standing American journal of medical-gynaecology and obstetrics. "Reproductive, obstetric, and long-term health outcome after uterus transplantation: results of the first clinical trial".
According to the introduction to the study on the University of Gothenburg's official website, the research was conducted by Mats Brännström, professor of obstetrics and gynecology at the University of Gothenburg's Saargrenska Institute, and chief physician at Saargrenska University Hospital.
Brännström said, "This is the first complete study to be completed, and the results exceeded expectations in terms of clinical pregnancy rates and cumulative live birth rates."
A total of nine uterine transplants were performed in the study, of which seven underwent in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatment following the uterine transplant. Of the seven women, six (86%) had a successful pregnancy and delivery. Three of the women gave birth to two children each, and the remaining three gave birth to one child each, resulting in a total of nine babies.
The study mentioned that the study showed good IVF results in terms of the so-called "clinical pregnancy rate". In vitro fertilization was performed after uterine transplantation, and the overall clinical pregnancy rate was 32.6%. This is indistinguishable from the overall success rate of IVF treatment.
The research team followed up with both donors and transplant recipients. All uterine donors had no pelvic symptoms. But the study showed that a small number of donors experienced mild, partly transient symptoms, such as leg discomfort or mild swelling.
After 4 years, overall, the group receiving a uterus transplant had a higher health-related quality of life than the general population. Neither recipient nor donor had levels of anxiety or depression that required treatment.
The research team also examined the children's growth and development. The study, which included monitoring of children under two years of age, is the longest follow-up study of children in this setting to date. The research team also plans to monitor the children further into adulthood.
Brännström said, "This study shows positive health outcomes: the children born so far have remained healthy, and the long-term health of the donor and recipient is generally good.
According to reports, the first delivery after a uterus transplant occurred in Gothenburg in 2014. Within the framework of the same research project, seven more deliveries followed. The research group has since passed on its methods and techniques to several research centres outside Sweden through direct knowledge transfer.
By the end of 2021, there are an estimated 90 uterine transplants worldwide, 20 of which are performed in Sweden. Around 50 children worldwide are born after a uterus transplant.
Currently, most research groups in the world provide data on donors, recipients, transplants, births, complications and other information to the International Uterine Transplant Registry, which was initiated and maintained by researchers in Gothenburg. Supported by the International Society for Uterine Transplantation (ISUTx), the registry is expected to become a very valuable research tool in the future, helping to make the procedure safer and more effective, according to the University of Gothenburg.
Recently, a research team from the University of Gothenburg, Sweden, published the results of the world's first complete uterine transplantation study in Fertility and Sterility, a long-standing American journal of medical-gynaecology and obstetrics. "Reproductive, obstetric, and long-term health outcome after uterus transplantation: results of the first clinical trial".
According to the introduction to the study on the University of Gothenburg's official website, the research was conducted by Mats Brännström, professor of obstetrics and gynecology at the University of Gothenburg's Saargrenska Institute, and chief physician at Saargrenska University Hospital.Brännström said, "This is the first complete study to be completed, and the results exceeded expectations in terms of clinical pregnancy rates and cumulative live birth rates."
A total of nine uterine transplants were performed in the study, of which seven underwent in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatment following the uterine transplant. Of the seven women, six (86%) had a successful pregnancy and delivery. Three of the women gave birth to two children each, and the remaining three gave birth to one child each, resulting in a total of nine babies.
The study mentioned that the study showed good IVF results in terms of the so-called "clinical pregnancy rate". In vitro fertilization was performed after uterine transplantation, and the overall clinical pregnancy rate was 32.6%. This is indistinguishable from the overall success rate of IVF treatment.The research team followed up with both donors and transplant recipients. All uterine donors had no pelvic symptoms. But the study showed that a small number of donors experienced mild, partly transient symptoms, such as leg discomfort or mild swelling.
After 4 years, overall, the group receiving a uterus transplant had a higher health-related quality of life than the general population. Neither recipient nor donor had levels of anxiety or depression that required treatment.
The research team also examined the children's growth and development. The study, which included monitoring of children under two years of age, is the longest follow-up study of children in this setting to date. The research team also plans to monitor the children further into adulthood.
Brännström said, "This study shows positive health outcomes: the children born so far have remained healthy, and the long-term health of the donor and recipient is generally good.
According to reports, the first delivery after a uterus transplant occurred in Gothenburg in 2014. Within the framework of the same research project, seven more deliveries followed. The research group has since passed on its methods and techniques to several research centres outside Sweden through direct knowledge transfer.
By the end of 2021, there are an estimated 90 uterine transplants worldwide, 20 of which are performed in Sweden. Around 50 children worldwide are born after a uterus transplant.
Currently, most research groups in the world provide data on donors, recipients, transplants, births, complications and other information to the International Uterine Transplant Registry, which was initiated and maintained by researchers in Gothenburg. Supported by the International Society for Uterine Transplantation (ISUTx), the registry is expected to become a very valuable research tool in the future, helping to make the procedure safer and more effective, according to the University of Gothenburg.
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