Genital regeneration

Genital regeneration encompasses various forms of treatment for genital anomalies. The goal of these treatments is to restore form and function to male and female genitalia by taking advantage of innate responses in the body. In order to do this, doctors have experimented with stem cells and extracellular matrix to provide a framework for regenerating missing structures. More research is needed to successfully move the science from laboratory trials to routine procedures."Bioengineered corporal tissue for structural and functional restoration of the penis". 2009 Chen, K. Eberli, D. Yoo, J. and Atala, A. 2009 Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences 107 No 8, pp. 3346-3350."Bone regeneration and stem cells." 2011 Arvidson, K. et al. Journal of Cellular and Molecular Medicine 15, No 4, pp. 718-746.

Patients who can benefit most from this field are those who have congenital defects, cancer, injuries that have excised parts of their genitalia (most notably soldiers in war), and men looking to reverse circumcision and women wishing to reverse forms of female genital mutilation. As is the case in most scientific pursuits, these accomplishments might be applied to other forms of regeneration and vice versa as scientists continue to study tissue engineering.

Autologous cell therapies In the last decade, there have been notable accomplishments in utilizing extracellular matrices (ECM) and stem cells to reconstruct lost tissue. These cover a range of structures including the genitals."Regenerative Medicine: Regrowing Body Parts". March 23, 2008 CBS Professor Atala and his group at Wake Forest University's Institute of Regenerative Medicine have successfully regenerated fully functioning rabbit penises that were excised for the sake of the experiment. Autologous cells were attached to a three-dimensional collagen matrix. Once formed, the structure was attached and tested for functionality."Engineered Rabbit Penises Raise Human Hopes." 2009 Keim, B. Wired Science

An Italian doctor named Dr. Cinzia Marchese has successfully reconstructed the inner mucosal lining of congenitally deformed vaginas by using an enzyme to break down the abnormal lining, then inserting stem cells to remodel the walls and restore normal functionality."Italian doctor builds new, more natural vagina". 2007 Brown, S. Reuters

There are currently no therapies available for men attempting to clinically regenerate structures of the human penis. Also, for women there are no therapies that use autologous cells to regenerate the clitoris, sometimes removed in cases of female genital mutilation.

Other therapies The following therapies do not rely on autologous cells:

A vibration technique developed by Ellen L. Barnard and Myrtile Wilhite claims to promote regeneration in the vaginal cell lining."Patent application title: Vaginal Tissue Regeneration Device and Method for Regeneration of Vaginal Lining using Vibration Therapy" . May 2012 Barnard, E. and Wilhite M. Patent application number: 20120136287 A topical cream developed by Lyle Corporate Development, Inc., claims to encourage regeneration of tissues in the vulva that have undergone cellular hypoxia."Regeneration of Vaginal Tissue with non-systemic vaginal administration of Estrogen" May 2009 Lyle, J. Patent application number: 20090124584

There are manual reconstruction techniques such as those developed by French surgeon Pierre Foldès."Surgical Techniques: Reconstructive Surgery of the Clitoris after Ritual Excision." 2006 Foldes, Pierre J. Sex Medicine 3 pp. 1091-1094 His procedure provides women with a clitoris, but is not considered a regenerative medicine.Reconstructive surgery after female genital mutilation: a prospective cohort study. Foldes, P. et al. Lancet 380 Issue 9837 pp. 134-141

Organizations Some organizations which perform research into, or conduct regeneration procedures, include the Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine, the United States Department of Defense,"DoD; Dept of Army -- USAMRAA; Armed Forces Institute of Regenerative Medicine -II (AFIRM II)." Retrieved 2012-8-23 and the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine.

Genital regeneration

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