The model is mainly established by scraping the inner wall of the uterus using a curette or scalpel. Since the exact pathological mechanism of intrauterine adhesion (IUA) formation remains unknown, there are few research reports worldwide on the successful establishment of IUA animal models. Although models can also be established via chemical or electrothermal injury, with the advantages of simple operation, high reproducibility, and reliable adhesion formation, these methods differ greatly from the actual etiology of human IUA. Therefore, scholars believe it is necessary to establish models that are more clinically relevant to provide an experimental basis for clinical research. Against this background, Khrouf et al. induced IUA in New Zealand rabbits using mechanical injury to scrape the endometrium, establishing an animal model of postoperative adhesions. Specifically, after induction of anesthesia, a curette was used to perform complete endometrial curettage, and the histological injury and regenerative processes over time were analyzed. The remaining animals were mated with fertile males, and implantation sites were counted for fertility studies. The main outcome measures included adhesion rate, number of implanted fetuses, luminal surface/whole horn perimeter ratio, and epithelial thickness. Although no adhesion formation was observed due to the strong regenerative capacity of rabbit endometrium, the inflammatory response following endometrial injury was shown to exert a negative impact on natural fertility similar to that of adhesions. Meanwhile, this model was considered suitable for evaluating the safety and efficacy of preventive treatments for IUA.

New Zealand rabbits (female, 2–2.5 kg)
Modeling method: The middle and upper endometrium was scraped with a curette, followed by uterine irrigation with ethanol.
Evaluation indicators: gross observation, HE staining, Masson staining

Gross observation

HE staining of uterine tissue

Masson staining of uterine tissue