Daily Current Affairs : 5-October-2023
In a groundbreaking development, the United Kingdom recently accomplished its inaugural uterus transplant, marking a significant stride in the field of medical science. Unlike vital organ transplants such as hearts or livers, uterus transplants do not directly save lives. Instead, they fall in line with procedures like limb or skin transplants, aiming to enhance the quality of life for individuals. These transplants play a vital role in empowering women who lack a uterus, enabling them to fulfill their reproductive aspirations.
Understanding Uterus Transplants
Uterus transplants represent a revolutionary medical procedure that caters to the reproductive needs of women. It provides hope to those unable to conceive naturally, granting them the possibility of experiencing motherhood. To comprehend this procedure better, it’s essential to delve into its intricacies.
The Uterus Transplant Procedure
Primary Evaluation: Before undergoing transplantation, the recipient undergoes a rigorous evaluation process to ensure they are in good physical and mental health. This assessment is crucial in determining the feasibility of the procedure and the recipient’s overall well-being.
Cryopreservation: Unlike traditional pregnancies, uterus transplants do not connect the uterus to the fallopian tubes. To facilitate pregnancy, doctors extract the recipient’s eggs, create embryos through in vitro fertilization (IVF), and freeze these embryos using cryopreservation. Once the transplanted uterus is deemed ‘ready,’ doctors implant these embryos, fostering the potential for pregnancy.
Implantation and Surgery: Post-clearance, the uterus is meticulously removed from the donor, preserving its essential blood vessels. During the surgery, fallopian tubes are also removed from the donor, ensuring pregnancies occur only within the uterus. Surgeons meticulously connect muscles, cartilage, tendons, arteries, veins, and other blood vessels, enabling the transplanted uterus to function normally.
After-care and Immunosuppression: To prevent the recipient’s body from rejecting the transplanted uterus, immunosuppressive drugs are administered. These drugs are crucial in ensuring the body accepts the new organ, facilitating a seamless integration process.
Global Perspective on Uterus Transplants
India stands among the pioneering nations in successful uterine transplants, alongside Turkey, Sweden, and the United States. The success story of India’s first uterine transplant baby, born on October 18, 2018, exemplifies the potential of this procedure. This achievement has inspired medical professionals to work towards making uterus transplants more affordable, fostering accessibility for a broader population.
Important Points:
- Uterus Transplants: Improving Quality of Life
- Uterus transplants are not life-saving but enhance the quality of life, similar to limb or skin transplants.
- These transplants fulfill the reproductive needs of women who lack a uterus, offering hope for parenthood.
- Procedure Overview
- Primary Evaluation:
- Recipients undergo rigorous physical and mental health evaluations before the procedure.
- Cryopreservation:
- Uterus transplant procedure does not involve connecting the uterus to fallopian tubes.
- Recipient’s eggs are extracted, embryos created via IVF, and frozen for future implantation.
- Implantation and Surgery:
- Transplanted uterus is carefully removed from the donor, preserving blood vessels.
- Fallopian tubes are removed to ensure pregnancies occur within the uterus.
- Surgeons connect muscles, cartilage, tendons, arteries, veins, and blood vessels.
- After-care and Immunosuppression:
- Recipients take immunosuppressive drugs to prevent rejection of the transplanted uterus.
- Primary Evaluation:
- Global Success and Impact
- Successful uterus transplants have been performed in India, Turkey, Sweden, and the United States.
- India’s first uterine transplant baby was born on October 18, 2018, highlighting the procedure’s success.
- Medical professionals aim to make uterus transplants more affordable, promoting accessibility for a broader population.
Why In News
Recently in the U.K., surgeons successfully conducted the country’s first uterus transplant, marking a groundbreaking achievement in the field of reproductive medicine.
MCQs about Uterus Transplants
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What is the primary purpose of uterus transplants?
A. Saving lives
B. Enhancing the quality of life and fulfilling reproductive needs
C. Curing chronic diseases
D. Improving mental health
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What is cryopreservation in the context of uterus transplants?
A. Connecting the uterus to fallopian tubes
B. Freezing embryos created through in vitro fertilization (IVF)
C. Removing the transplanted uterus
D. Administering immunosuppressive drugs
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What is the role of immunosuppressive drugs in uterus transplants?
A. Enhancing fertility
B. Preventing the recipient’s body from rejecting the transplanted uterus
C. Reducing pain after the surgery
D. Accelerating the healing process
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Where was India’s first uterine transplant baby born, and what does this achievement signify?
A. On October 18, 2018; Signifying India’s medical leadership
B. On November 30, 2019; Signifying global progress in medical science
C. On December 25, 2017; Signifying a breakthrough in reproductive technology
D. On September 10, 2018; Signifying advancements in prenatal care
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