The SCID mouse: an experimental model for endometriosis

The purpose of this study was to validate the suitability of the severe com bined immunodeficient (SCID) mouse as an experimental model for endometrios is, by defining the morphological and histological features of induced endo metrial implants, and characterizing specific biochemical properties of the se implants. Human secretory endometrial tissues were injected into the per itoneal cavity of SCID/SCID CB17 mature female mice. Successful peritoneal implantation was observed in 55 of 57 (96.5%) SCID mice and consisted of ci rcumscribed elevated nodules, Haematoxylin-eosin staining of implanting les ions demonstrated the presence of endometrial glandular tissue in a mixed b ackground of stromal and inflammatory cells, When progesterone was administ ered to mice, epithelial glands underwent well-defined secretory changes. I mmunohistochemical analysis using polyclonal human pan-cytokeratin antibodi es demonstrated selective positive staining in the glandular epithelium of the human implants with none in the surrounding stroma. In-situ hybridizati on analysis using complement component 3 cDNA radiolabelled riboprobes yiel ded significantly more intense signals in glands compared to stroma, As hum an endometrial implants in SCID mice were shown to retain specific histolog ical, functional and biochemical properties, we conclude that the SCID mous e is an attractive animal model for the study of endometriosis.