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Updated: Oct 1, 2026
Microsurgical Venous Pouch Arterial-Bifurcation Aneurysms in the Rabbit Model: Technical Aspects
Published on: May 11, 2011
Lack of suitability of the rabbit model for particulate uterine artery embolization
Christoph A Binkert1, Robert T Andrews, Dusan Pavcnik
1Dotter Interventional Institute, Oregon Health Sciences University, 3181 SW Sam Jackson Park Road, Portland, Oregon 97201, USA. binkert@compuserve.com
Purpose:
The goal of this study was to evaluate the rabbit model for studies of particulate uterine artery embolization (UAE). Rabbits were chosen because it was believed that their year-round breeding time and short duration of pregnancy would be useful in studies of fertility and pregnancy after UAE.
Materials And Methods:
Bilateral UAE was performed in 12 adult female New Zealand White rabbits weighing 4-5.2 kg. All animals were proven to be breeders before treatment. Each uterine artery was embolized to stasis with use of 180-300- microm polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) particles (n = 9 animals), 500-710- microm PVA particles (n = 1), or tris-acryl 500-700- microm gelatin microspheres (n = 2).
Results:
Two rabbits died 7 days after embolization and the other 10 rabbits had to be killed because of malaise and weight loss 4-8 d after embolization. In all animals, necropsy demonstrated extensive uterine necrosis sparing only the tip of the uterine horn.
Conclusion:
Rabbits are an unsuitable model for studies of UAE with the embolic agents in clinical use.
