An organ-culture for in vitro evaluation of fetal membrane healing capacity

Objectives: We aimed to set up an organ culture of human amniochorion to ev aluate fetal membrane repair capacity following surgical trauma. Methods: F etal membranes were collected from four patients, during elective caesarean section at term. Explants were traumatised at the centre and cultured on c ollagen support material for a total of 12 days. Viability was assessed by light microscopy and proliferation by detection of 5-Bromo-2' deoxy-Uridine (BrdU) incorporation and immunohistochemistry. Wound healing capacity was assessed trough photographic documentation every 2 days. Results: Cultures showed good survival for 12 days. Increased cellularity, survival and proli ferations were observed at the borders of the cultures in contrast to the c entral trauma site. During the 12 days observation period, no significant c losure of the membrane defect could be demonstrated. Conclusion: This organ culture system represents a new model for the study of human fetal membran e repair. Despite good survival and localised proliferation, no obvious clo sure of a surgically created defect was observed in the described culture c onditions. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.