Lack of Suitability of the Rabbit Model for Particulate Uterine Artery Embolization.

摘要

PURPOSE: The goal of this study was to evaluate the rabbit model for studies of particulate uterine artery embolization (UAE). Rabbits were chosen because it was believed that their year-round breeding time and short duration of pregnancy would be useful in studies of fertility and pregnancy after UAE. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Bilateral UAE was performed in 12 adult female New Zealand White rabbits weighing 4-5.2 kg. All animals were proven to be breeders before treatment. Each uterine artery was embolized to stasis with use of 180-300-&mgr;m polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) particles (n = 9 animals), 500-710-&mgr;m PVA particles (n = 1), or tris-acryl 500-700-&mgr;m gelatin microspheres (n = 2). RESULTS: Two rabbits died 7 days after embolization and the other 10 rabbits had to be killed because of malaise and weight loss 4-8 d after embolization. In all animals, necropsy demonstrated extensive uterine necrosis sparing only the tip of the uterine horn. CONCLUSION: Rabbits are an unsuitable model for studies of UAE with the embolic agents in clinical use.