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Objectives: There is paucity of data on the capacity of fetal membranes to repair surgical defects following trauma. We aimed at developing an in vitro model using monolayers of human amnion epithelial cells to study fetal membrane healing. Methods: Term (n = 6) and preterm (n = 3) fetal membranes were collected at caesarean section. The amnion was digested twice in a trypsin solution. Amniocytes were seeded (250,000-750,000/ml) and incubated at 37°C and 5% CO2 and 21 or 5% O2. A microsurgical injury was made centrally in the monolayers and the cultures were incubated for 48 h. Every 6 h, slides were fixed and immunohistochemical staining was performed to quantify proliferation at the site of the defect and centrally in the monolayer. The closure rate was evaluated by measuring the defect size every 6 h. Results: The closure rate of the defects was higher in preterm versus term cultures. Proliferation was significantly higher in the defect zone versus the peripheral zone, and also higher in the preterm group. Conclusion: We describe a new model for the study of fetal membrane healing and observed gestational age-dependent repair capacity of the amnion. Copyright © 2009 S. Karger AG, Basel [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]