Factors influencing the outcome of ligating the uterine artery and vein in a guinea pig model of intrauterine growth retardation

Abstract

ln a retrospeetive study the outcome of uterine artery or uterine arteiy and vein ligation in 235 pregnant guinea pigs was reported. The aim of the study was to reduce the number ofanimals used in studies of IUGR, by identifying factors influencing the outcome of uterine artery ligation that could easily be changed. Differences1n outcome by ligation technique, day of ligation and maternal weight on day of ligation were analyzed Ligating only the artery gave better resultsin bilateral pregnaneies and animals with bilateral pregnancies had IUGR fetuses more often than unilaterally