The use of animal models in endometriosis research

Introduction: Endometriosis is a disease characterized by the growth of endometrial tissue at sites other than the endometrial cavity. Conducting experiments directly in humans to understand the mechanisms of endometriosis, refutes bioethics rules and therefore animal models are used for the disease to be studied therein. Purpose: The study aims to present the latest data on the use of animal models in endometriosis research through a thorough literature review. Material-Method: Recent Greek and international literature was reviewed, specifically publications referring to the use of animal models in endometriosis research, available in PubMed and ScienceDirect databases, during the 2000-2019 period. Results-Conclusions: From the literature studied, we know that endometriosis is automatically manifested on humans and some primates. However, the cost of handling and maintaining such animals is prohibitive, and this has led to finding other, smaller in size, more economical, and more manageable animal models, such as rodents. In rodents, endometriosis is caused by endometrial tissue transplantation into ectopic sites. Rodent models are distinguished in (a) autologous models and (b) heterologous models. In autologous models, endometrial fragments are transplanted into ectopic sites. In heterologous models, fragments of endometrial tissue, taken from women with endometriosis, are transplanted in immunomodified mice. Based on literature, mice are an economic and scientifically admissible way to study the etiopathogenesis of the disease but also the effectiveness of different treatments of the disease, before their application to humans.