Electrospun gelatin fiber-gelatin methacryloyl hydrogel composites for reproductive applications

Each year, approximately 30 million Cesarean deliveries are performed globally, involving surgical incisions through the abdomen and uterus, followed by suturing of the uterus and skin after childbirth. The presence of prior uterine incisions disrupts native uterine tissue properties and increases the risk of complications in subsequent pregnancies. Thus, tissue repair scaffolds for this application must promote regeneration and restore the mechanical strength required to withstand the uterine loading. Despite the importance of mechanical considerations in regeneration, the fracture mechanics and energetics of scaffolds for this application have not been systematically characterized. In this work, we developed a novel gelatin methacryloyl-gelatin fiber composite platform by embedding electrospun gelatin fibers of different nanoscale diameters within a hydrogel matrix. Mechanical testing of fiber mats and composites under uniaxial tension and Mode III tearing revealed that fiber diameter strongly influences stiffness, extensibility, and fracture resistance. Further, compared to fiber mats alone, fiber-reinforced composites demonstrate enhanced energy dissipation while retaining physiologically relevant hydration, thereby mimicking native tissue. These results establish critical structure-function relationships in gelatin-based composite systems and highlights their potential as load-bearing scaffolds for uterine tissue repair.