Organoid cultures as model systems to study disorders of the human endometrium and placenta

Studying the underlying pathogenesis of disorders of the endometrium and of human pregnancy is challenging due to the lack of good in vivo and animal models. The development of organoid cultures has provided new opportunities to perform experiments in humans that recapitulate the in vivo situation. Endometrial organoids can be derived from tissues or menstrual fluid and respond robustly to ovarian hormones. Placental trophoblast organoids can only be generated from placentas under 9 weeks gestation. These assemble to form the structure of a placental villus. Modification of the culture conditions drives them to differentiate to the invading trophoblast that functions to transform the uterine spiral arteries. This process is critical for pregnancy success. These model systems will be transformative in understanding the biology of the female reproductive tract in health and disease.