TRANSPLANTATION OF WHOLE MAMMARY GLANDS IN MICE1

Abstract

A technique is describedfor transplanting mammary glands from either C57BL/6J or C3H/HeJ female mice to F1 females of reciprocal crosses between these 2 strains. Complete mammary glands in their own fat pads and with nipple and surrounding skin intact have been implanted in dorsal and nipple line sites of hosts up to 26 weeks of age and from donors up to 50 weeks of age. Success of implantation is greatest if both host and donor are between 3 and 8 weeks old and if number 3 rather than number 4 glands are used. Young implants, isochronic with the host, respond normally to the influence of growth and maturation in untreated mice. Implanted glands respond in the same manner as those of the host to prolonged estrogen therapy and to pregnancy and lactation. Implanted glands in nipple line sites have been suckled and milk has been expressed from some glands in both dorsal and nipple line locations.