Human womb transplant 'within two years'

The first successful womb transplant could happen within the next two years, British scientists have said.

Scientists have said they have developed a way of transplanting a womb with a regular blood supply, so that it will last long enough to carry out a pregnancy.

The research used rabbits at the Royal Veterinary College to attach wombs using major blood vessels. Two of the rabbits lived to ten months, with examinations after death indicating the transplants had been a success.

Researchers say their next step is to give the rabbits IVF. If successful, the breakthrough could mean an alternative to surrogacy or adoption for women who are unable to conceive due to their own wombs having been damaged by diseases such as cervical cancer.

Richard Smith, consultant gynaecological surgeon at Hammersmith Hospital, said: 'I think there are certain technical issues to be ironed out but I think the crux of how to carry out a successful graft that's properly vascularised - I think we have cracked that one.'

He added that the transplanted womb would only stay in place long enough for a woman to have a child, and a Caesarean would have to be used to deliver the baby. Conception would have to be through IVF, due to the risk of ectopic pregnancy.

Up to 200 women in the UK are said to use surrogate mothers each year.