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Paping A, Ehrlich L, Melchior K, Ziska T, Wippermann W, Starke A, Heinichen K, Henrich W, Braun T. A Sustainable Translational Sheep Model for Planned Cesarean Delivery of Contraction-Free Ewes. Reprod Sci 2024; 31:791-802. [PMID: 37848643 PMCID: PMC10912125 DOI: 10.1007/s43032-023-01365-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2023] [Accepted: 09/14/2023] [Indexed: 10/19/2023]
Abstract
We evaluated whether the sheep constitutes a useful translational model to evaluate anatomical and surgical aspects of cesarean delivery (CD) from a human medical perspective with the aim of both maternal and neonatal well-being. Our hypothesis was that CD in contraction-free ewes is not associated with major complications. Primary endpoint was the transferability of anatomical conditions and surgical techniques of CD from the ewe to the human. Secondary endpoints were maternal and fetal survival, occurrence of retained fetal membranes, metritis, mastitis, or wound infections. Forty-eight Merino ewes were delivered by CD after 95% gestation (142-144 days). Both ewes and newborn lambs were cared for intensively after the delivery. Ovine uterine anatomy during CD appeared slightly different but comparable to the human uterus. Uterine incisions were mostly performed in the uterine horns, not in the uterine corpus. The ovine uterine wall is thinner than in humans. All ewes survived without any major complications. Seventy-seven (88.5%) out of 87 live-born lambs survived without any complications. The contraction-free ewe constitutes an appropriate and safe model to evaluate anatomical and surgical aspects of CD from a human medical perspective. We present a step-by-step manual for successfully planned cesarean delivery for sheep including the perioperative management illustrated with photographs and a five-minute video. With adequate planning and a reasonable number of staff, it is possible to safeguard both maternal and neonatal survival. This sustainable translational medicine model offers additional potential for the offspring to be used for further research studies (e.g., transgenerational inheritance research).
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander Paping
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Department of Obstetrics, Augustenburger Platz 1, 13353, Berlin, Germany.
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Division of 'Experimental Obstetrics', Berlin, Germany.
| | - Loreen Ehrlich
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Division of 'Experimental Obstetrics', Berlin, Germany
| | - Kerstin Melchior
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Division of 'Experimental Obstetrics', Berlin, Germany
| | - Thomas Ziska
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Division of 'Experimental Obstetrics', Berlin, Germany
| | - Wolf Wippermann
- Clinic for Ruminants and Swine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Alexander Starke
- Clinic for Ruminants and Swine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Karin Heinichen
- Oberholz Farm for Teaching and Research, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Wolfgang Henrich
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Department of Obstetrics, Augustenburger Platz 1, 13353, Berlin, Germany
| | - Thorsten Braun
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Department of Obstetrics, Augustenburger Platz 1, 13353, Berlin, Germany
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Division of 'Experimental Obstetrics', Berlin, Germany
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