Preterm Birth Animal Model via Cervical Excision and LPS Injection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current animal models for preterm birth are inadequate in accurately replicating the condition induced by cervical damage, leading to high mortality rates and limited effectiveness in studying the mechanisms and developing therapies for preterm birth.
Innovation Solution
A method involving cervical excision in non-human mammals followed by intrauterine or intraperitoneal injection of lipopolysaccharide to induce preterm birth, allowing for controlled and predictable timing of preterm birth, reducing mortality rates and improving model accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If lipopolysaccharide is injected between two gestational sacs near the cervix at day 15-17 of gestation to induce preterm birth, then preterm birth can be induced, but mortality increases excessively and preterm birth yield decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The cervix is excised before pregnancy occurs, creating a pre-conditioned state that makes the animal more susceptible to preterm birth induction. This preliminary action allows for lower doses of lipopolysaccharide to be used later, reducing mortality while maintaining preterm birth yield
Solution Approach 2:
The injection timing is changed from day 15-17 of gestation to day 18-20, and the injection location is changed from between gestational sacs to intrauterine or intraperitoneal administration. These parameter changes optimize the induction process to reduce mortality while maintaining effectiveness
2Reliability
If bacteria are injected into the uteri of pregnant rabbits through a hysteroscope to induce preterm birth, then preterm birth can be induced, but the procedure becomes complicated and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The complex hysteroscope injection procedure is replaced by simpler cervical excision followed by straightforward intrauterine or intraperitoneal injection. This extracts the unnecessary complexity while maintaining the preterm birth induction effect
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses simple, inexpensive materials such as scissors for cervical excision and standard injection needles, replacing the expensive and complex hysteroscope equipment. This significantly reduces procedural costs while achieving the same biological effect
3Reliability
If bacteria are injected into the uteri of pregnant rabbits through a hysteroscope to induce preterm birth, then preterm birth can be induced, but the time required for symptoms to be reproduced becomes very long
Solution Approach 1:
Cervical excision is performed before pregnancy, creating a pre-conditioned state that accelerates the response to subsequent lipopolysaccharide injection. This preliminary preparation significantly reduces the time required for preterm birth symptoms to appear
Solution Approach 2:
Changing from bacterial injection to lipopolysaccharide injection, and optimizing the timing to day 18-20 of gestation, accelerates the induction process. The lipopolysaccharide acts more rapidly than bacteria, and the optimized timing ensures faster symptom reproduction
Data Source
Figure 1a~1b
Figure 2~3
Figure 4a~4b
AI summary
The present invention relates to a method for producing an animal model of preterm birth and an animal model of preterm birth produced by the method. The animal model of the present invention can be effectively applied to investigate the causes and symptoms of preterm birth induced by cervical injury. The mortality rate of the animal model according to the present invention is low until preterm birth despite its induced preterm birth. In addition, the animal model of the present invention is produced in a higher yield than any other existing model. Furthermore, the preterm birth of the animal model according to the present invention is induced at a desired time point. Due to these advantages, the animal model of the present invention can be effectively applied to investigate the causes and mechanisms of preterm birth. The mortality rate of premature neonates born from the animal model of the present invention is considerably low and the premature neonates are immature. Therefore, the animal model of the present invention can be effectively applied to studies on complications of premature neonates.