A team of researchers at the Abraham Institute in Cambridge has been able to develop an artificial uterine lining in the laboratory.
This lining allows the study of the early stages of human pregnancy, which until now have been obscure and difficult to observe, according to a study published in the journal "Cell".
The scientists used uterine tissues donated by healthy women and isolated two types of cells: supportive cells that provide structure to the uterus, and epithelial cells, which form the inner lining of the uterus.
The supportive cells were encapsulated in a biodegradable hydrogel, and the epithelial cells were placed on top to form an artificial lining similar to the natural uterus.
The artificial lining was tested on early-stage human embryos that were donated after in vitro fertilization procedures.
The experiments showed that the embryos were able to implant and produce the hormone hCG, which is detected in pregnancy tests, along with other compounds associated with pregnancy.
The new technique enabled monitoring of the embryos for up to 14 days after fertilization, where specialized cells formed and stages of placental development began. Researchers were also able to decode the chemical signals between the embryo and the uterine lining, a crucial process for a healthy pregnancy.
Dr. Peter Rog-Gunn, the lead researcher in the study, said: "We know that half of the embryos fail to implant, and we do not know why. This technique opens new horizons for understanding the reasons for failure and improving success rates in in vitro fertilization procedures."
The study also notes that Chinese researchers used a similar model to test drugs that could improve implantation rates in patients who suffer from recurrent failure.
This technique will allow the study of placental development and early stages of pregnancy with unprecedented accuracy, including investigating issues that may lead to serious pregnancy complications and miscarriage, and paving the way for developing new treatments to enhance early pregnancy success.
Professor John Aplin from the University of Manchester said: "The early stages of pregnancy are crucial for the development of the placenta and the growth of the embryo, and have been insufficiently understood. This scientific work provides vital tools for studying and improving implantation efficiency."
