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Review
. 2017 Aug 6;16(4):305-313.
doi: 10.1002/rmb2.12048. eCollection 2017 Oct.

Uterus transplantation: Toward clinical application in Japan

Nobuhiko Suganuma  1   2 , Ayako Hayashi  1   2 , Iori Kisu  1   3 , Kouji Banno  1   3 , Hisako Hara  1   4 , Makoto Mihara  1   4
Affiliations
Review

Uterus transplantation: Toward clinical application in Japan

Nobuhiko Suganuma et al. Reprod Med Biol. .

Abstract

Background: In recent years, uterus transplantation (UTx) has been applied as the treatment for patients with uterine factor infertility worldwide. Thus, the clinical application of UTx in Japan should be considered through both the history of UTx technology development in the world and future prospects.

Methods: Recent information on UTx was collected via a literature survey and the Internet.

Results: Basic research using various animals has been done mainly since 2000. In 2014, the world's first UTx baby was born in Sweden. In total, 24 UTx procedures have been performed at 10 institutes in nine countries and five births were obtained (as of May, 2017). In Japan, the "Project Team for Uterus Transplantation" initiated UTx experiments in 2008 and the "Japan Society for Uterus Transplantation" was organized in March, 2014. In the rest of the world, the "International Society for Uterus Transplantation" was established in January, 2016.

Conclusion: Uterus transplantation is still under development as a reproductive medicine tool and organ transplant procedure. A collaborative system that is not limited by facilities and specialties should strive to build an "all-Japan" team.

Keywords: Mayer–Rokitansky–Küster–Hauser syndrome; ethical issues; surrogacy; uterine factor infertility; uterus transplantation.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Medical fields and staff members that are involved in the clinical process of uterus transplantation. DSD, disorders of sexual development; ET, embryo transfer; IVF: in vitro fertilization; MRKH, Mayer–Rokitansky–Küster–Hauser; UTx, uterus transplantation
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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