[Sheep as an experimental model in the reaserch of effects of pregnancy, delivery and surgical procedures on the pelvic floor].

OBJECTIVE: A short literature review of ewe as an experimental model in research of effects of pregnancy, delivery and urogynecological surgical procedures on the pelvic floor.

DESIGN: Literature overview.

SETTING: Institute for the Care of Mother and Child, Third Faculty of Medicine, Prague.

METHODS: This is an overview of recent literature on experiments using ewes as a model for biomechanical and morphological changes of the vagina induced by pregnancy, delivery and transvaginal graft implantation.

RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: The ovine pelvic floor and vagina have comparable morphology to human. Its biomechanical and biochemical properties get changed during the pregnancy and postpartum similarly to clinical findings. Sheep could be used for testing of urogynaecological implants vaginally and simultaneously implanted in the abdominal wall to provide better understanding of anatomical environment differences. The size of the ovine vagina gives the opportunity to perform comprehensive biomechanical, histological and biochemical testing. Experiments and observation may improve our understanding of pathology and physiology of vaginal wall changes induced by hormones, prolapse or surgery.