Decoding Uterus Transplantation: Progress and Prospects

In the last three decades, there has been so much progress in the field of organ transplant that it hardly comes as a surprise when we talk about the fact that the level of infertility has gone down considerably.

Thanks to the introduction of the calcineurin-inhibiting immunosuppressive drugs, that are brilliant when it comes to preventing graft rejection, organ transplants have become more effective and extremely useful as well.

Thanks to all the progress, it has now been established that a problem like uterine factor infertility is now absolutely treatable. This is something that affects several thousand women worldwide as the problem is basically associated with a dysfunctional uterus.

Did you know? A live donor surgery that takes place for a uterine transplant requires close to 10 hours. Apart from this, the patient then has to take immonosuppresive medication so that the chances of her body rejecting the graft are next to none!

Usually almost all transplanted patients face the risks of tissue rejection and immunosuppressant-related side effects. And even with the immunosuppressant that the patient is taking the long-term graft survival remains a challenge. Due to this, the patients also tend to become more susceptible to infections and certain malignancies!

These could include problems like risk of hypertension, diabetes and accelerated arteriosclerosis. Giving high doses of immunosuppressive drugs following the surgery, might temporarily, at the vey least, halt the chances of organ rejection.

We all know that there always is a big waitlist when it comes to organ donors and recipients, and uterine donation is not an exception. In this regard, the development of an alternative donor source, like through the development of an engineered grafting material based on the patient’s own cell that reduces the chances of rejection, would help brilliantly when it comes to the transplantation field.

In the recent years, ovarian and uterine transplant has been gaining more and more attention since it helps in preserving the fertility of cancer and other patients and, more importantly helps women with uterine agenesis or hysterectomy too.

For all we know, with the technological advancements that every field seems to be facing, especially the gynecological field, infertility could literally be wiped out from the face of this earth, ensuring that every couple is able to enjoy the joy of parenthood.