This Week In Lab-Grown Organs: The Artificial Vagina
By Lina Chappelle
Thought that the lab-grown organ trend ended with artificial lungs and nostrils? Think again.
Eight years ago, five women diagnosed with Mayer-Rokitansky-Kuster-Hauser Syndrome were the trial recipients of lab-grown vaginas. After intensive study, medical experts report that today the women are living happy, healthy lives with their new organs.
MRKHS, as it’s better known, is a rare genetic disorder that leaves women with a vagina and uterus that is either underdeveloped or entirely absent. It makes pregnancy less likely and also affects other parts of the body. Thanks to the breakthrough, those with MRKHS and other similar health problems may now have access to a procedure that could invariably change their lives for the better.
Scientists were able to engineer the artificial vaginas from the patient’s own cells. Similar to the way the researchers created a set of human lungs, these scientists created a biodegradable scaffold-like structure of a vagina before growing tissue around it. Vulva tissue from each of the patients was used to individually and uniquely adapt it to their bodies, which probably had a great hand in the success of the procedure.
Explaining the results found from studies to see how the artificial vagina compared to a “normal” vagina, Dr. Athony Atala of the Wake Forest Baptist Medical Centre said:
“Yearly tissue biopsy samples show that the reconstructed tissue is histologically and functionally similar to normal vaginal tissue. This technique is a viable option for vaginal reconstruction and has several advantages over current reconstructive methods because only a small biopsy of tissue is required, and using vaginal cells may reduce complications that arise from using non-vaginal tissue, such as infection and graft shrinkage.”
Girls between the ages of 13 and 18 were test subjects for the new procedure, which has so far proven to have no repercussions. While the organ implants were inserted eight years ago, a number of follow-up tests over the years have shown that the women have been able to lead completely normal and healthy sex lives, without pain during intercourse. It’s also reported that though none have become pregnant so far, it is believed to be entirely possible. One of the patients attested to the success of the procedure, remarking: “Truly I feel very fortunate because I have a normal life, completely normal.”
If scientists can find a way to grow a fully-functioning and nearly naturally anatomically-identical vagina, then there may be a new sliver or hope for women with fertility problems. Potential reproductive benefits from these artificial vaginas (which have yet to be seen) could mean that a woman infertile due to uterine or vaginal problems could be given a new method of overcoming her infertility. It’s a step in a great direction, considering the prevalence of infertility among women today.
