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Womb transplants 'a step closer' | Womb transplants 'a step closer' |
(10 minutes later) | |
The first successful human womb transplant could take place within two years, British scientists have said. | The first successful human womb transplant could take place within two years, British scientists have said. |
London-based experts say they have worked out how to transplant a womb with a regular blood supply so it will last long enough to carry a pregnancy. | London-based experts say they have worked out how to transplant a womb with a regular blood supply so it will last long enough to carry a pregnancy. |
Research involving donor rabbits was presented at a US fertility conference. | Research involving donor rabbits was presented at a US fertility conference. |
The charity Uterine Transplant UK is seeking funding of £250,000 after being denied grants by several medical research bodies. | The charity Uterine Transplant UK is seeking funding of £250,000 after being denied grants by several medical research bodies. |
A breakthrough could offer an alternative to surrogacy or adoption for women whose own wombs have been damaged by diseases such as cervical cancer. | A breakthrough could offer an alternative to surrogacy or adoption for women whose own wombs have been damaged by diseases such as cervical cancer. |
Up to 200 women in the UK are said to use surrogate mothers each year. | Up to 200 women in the UK are said to use surrogate mothers each year. |
In the latest research conducted at the Royal Veterinary College in London, five rabbits were given a womb using a technique which connected major blood vessels, including the aorta. | In the latest research conducted at the Royal Veterinary College in London, five rabbits were given a womb using a technique which connected major blood vessels, including the aorta. |
Two of the rabbits lived to 10 months, with examinations after death indicating the transplants had been a success. | Two of the rabbits lived to 10 months, with examinations after death indicating the transplants had been a success. |
'Huge interest' | 'Huge interest' |
Richard Smith, consultant gynaecological surgeon at Hammersmith Hospital, told the American Society for Reproductive Medicine conference in Atlanta the team's next step would involve getting rabbits pregnant through IVF treatment. | Richard Smith, consultant gynaecological surgeon at Hammersmith Hospital, told the American Society for Reproductive Medicine conference in Atlanta the team's next step would involve getting rabbits pregnant through IVF treatment. |
The technique would then be used on larger animals. | The technique would then be used on larger animals. |
Other research projects in the past have carried out similar experiments on pigs, goats, sheep and monkeys. | Other research projects in the past have carried out similar experiments on pigs, goats, sheep and monkeys. |
I think there is a big difference between demonstrating effectiveness in a rabbit and being able to do this in a larger animal or a human Tony Rutherford, British Fertility Society class="" href="/2/hi/health/8319149.stm">Womb transplants: A step too far? | |
A human transplant has also been tried once before - in Saudi Arabia in 2000 - but the womb came from a live donor, and was rejected after three months. | A human transplant has also been tried once before - in Saudi Arabia in 2000 - but the womb came from a live donor, and was rejected after three months. |
Mr Smith suggested it may have failed because surgeons had not worked out how to connect the blood vessels properly. | Mr Smith suggested it may have failed because surgeons had not worked out how to connect the blood vessels properly. |
The UK study involved transplanting the womb with all its arteries, veins and bigger vessels. | The UK study involved transplanting the womb with all its arteries, veins and bigger vessels. |
"I think there are certain technical issues to be ironed out but I think the crux of how to carry out a successful graft that's properly vascularised - I think we have cracked that one." | "I think there are certain technical issues to be ironed out but I think the crux of how to carry out a successful graft that's properly vascularised - I think we have cracked that one." |
A transplanted womb would only stay in place long enough for a woman to have the children she wanted. | A transplanted womb would only stay in place long enough for a woman to have the children she wanted. |
And any baby would have to be delivered by Caesarean section as a transplanted human womb is unlikely to be able to withstand natural labour. | And any baby would have to be delivered by Caesarean section as a transplanted human womb is unlikely to be able to withstand natural labour. |
Conception would also need to be through IVF because women with a transplanted womb could be at higher risk of ectopic pregnancy. | Conception would also need to be through IVF because women with a transplanted womb could be at higher risk of ectopic pregnancy. |
Mr Smith acknowledged the procedures were seen as "a step too far in terms of fertility management" among the medical profession but said interest from patients was huge. | Mr Smith acknowledged the procedures were seen as "a step too far in terms of fertility management" among the medical profession but said interest from patients was huge. |
Tony Rutherford, chairman of the British Fertility Society, said: "I think there is a big difference between demonstrating effectiveness in a rabbit and being able to do this in a larger animal or a human..." | Tony Rutherford, chairman of the British Fertility Society, said: "I think there is a big difference between demonstrating effectiveness in a rabbit and being able to do this in a larger animal or a human..." |
Clare Lewis-Jones, from Infertility Network UK, said "a great deal of thought and discussion" was needed on the issue including the ethical ramifications. | Clare Lewis-Jones, from Infertility Network UK, said "a great deal of thought and discussion" was needed on the issue including the ethical ramifications. |