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. 2025 Jul 3;31(3):gaaf021.
doi: 10.1093/molehr/gaaf021.

WERF Endometriosis Phenome and Biobanking Harmonisation Project for Experimental Models in Endometriosis Research (EPHect-EM-Homologous): homologous rodent models

Katherine A Burns  1 , Daniëlle Peterse  2 , Caroline B Appleyard  3 , Ronald Chandler  4 , Sun-Wei Guo  5 , Amelia Pearson  1 , Eleonora Persoons  6 , Michael S Anglesio  7 , Michael S Rogers  2 , Kathy L Sharpe-Timms  8 , Joris Vriens  6 , Stacey L McAllister  9 , Kelsi N Dodds  10   11 , Fiona L Cousins  12   13 , Lone Hummelshoj  14 , Stacey A Missmer  14   15   16 , Kaylon L Bruner-Tran  14   17 , Erin Greaves  14   18 ; EPHect Experimental Models Working Group
Collaborators, Affiliations

WERF Endometriosis Phenome and Biobanking Harmonisation Project for Experimental Models in Endometriosis Research (EPHect-EM-Homologous): homologous rodent models

Katherine A Burns et al. Mol Hum Reprod. .

Erratum in

Abstract

In vivo models of endometriosis enable the discovery and preclinical testing of new therapies. Several rodent models of endometriosis exist, but a lack of harmonization impedes reproducibility and comparability of results among investigators. Homologous models are advantageous as they allow the contribution of the immune system/inflammation to be studied. We reviewed published homologous rodent models of endometriosis to develop standard operating procedures ('EPHect-EM-Homologous-SOPs') to guide and facilitate the choice and implementation of these models and harmonize documentation to enhance interpretation and comparability of results. The World Endometriosis Research Foundation (WERF) established an international working group of experts in models of endometriosis and formed a working sub-group to discuss homologous rodent models of endometriosis. A systematic literature review and detailed analysis of protocols was performed. The identified models have advantages and limitations regarding physiological relevance and utility. To harmonize key variables for endometriosis rodent models, the working group focused on species and animal strains, placement of ectopic tissue, uterine tissue volume, method of induction, hormonal status, and uterine tissue 'type'. A decision tree and recommendations on model use were developed for mice and rats to serve as guides for the use of harmonized EPHect-EM-Homologous-SOPs, experimental design, reporting standards, and research of question-dependent key variables. No 'ideal' homologous model of endometriosis was identified. The choice of model for specific research should be guided according to a best-fit strategy. Harmonization of SOPs, documentation, and reporting standards will improve replicability and translational applicability of studies and better highlight where de novo model creation is needed.

Keywords: collaboration; endometriosis; experimental models; homologous; research; rodents.

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Conflict of interest statement

M.S.A. received salary funding from a Michael Smith Health Research BC Scholar Award (18274). C.B.A. is the co-founder and scientific director for Sur180 Therapeutics Inc., which has no bearing on this work. K.L.B.-T. is a trustee of WERF. E.G. is a member of the scientific advisory board of FimmCyte AG and a trustee of WERF. S.-W.G. is a member of the scientific advisory board of Heranova BioSciences and of FimmCyte AG and has provided consultancy advice to these companies, as well as to Sound Bioventures and BioGeneration, but these activities have no bearing on this work. L.H. receives remuneration from WERF as the EPHect programme manager and has provided consultancy to Gesynta Pharma AS, which has no bearing on this work. S.A.M. is a trustee of WERF, co-principal investigator of EPHect, a past president of the World Endometriosis Society (WES), and a member of the scientific advisory board of NextGen Jane; she has received presentation remuneration from Gideon Richter, and research funding from AbbVie, LLC, the Marriott Family Foundations, the USA National Institutes of Health (NIH), and the USA Peer Reviewed Medical Research Program (PRMRP), none of which is related to this work. K.A.B., R.C., F.L.C., K.N.D., S.L.M., D.P., M.S.R., A.P., E.P., J.V., and K.L.S.-T. declare no conflicts of interest.

Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
Schematic of an endometriotic lesion. Simplified view of an endometriotic lesion sectioned for histological assessment. Lesions characteristically have endometrial epithelial-lined glands, endometrial stroma, hemosiderin-ladened macrophages, and fibrotic tissue.
Figure 2.
Figure 2.
Diagram for use in necropsy to locate endometriotic lesions. The use of a diagram for each animal will allow for standardization of findings to indicate lesion location, size (weight and volume), colour, etc. The diagram can also be used to note other normal or abnormal findings (e.g. uterine weight, ovary weight, liver appearance). Intestinal and adipose tissues are not depicted.
Figure 3.
Figure 3.
Decision tree of key variables in homologous murine models of endometriosis. The five main variables identified are shown in blue. Recommendations for mouse and rat are shown in green. IP, intraperitoneal; CD-1/ICR, Hsd: ICR (CD-19®); ddY, DDY/JcISidSeyFrkJ; FVB/N, Friend virus B NIH.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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